Old Photographs | Coop got Home

Nov 24, 2022 | Daily Image 2022, Old Photographs, People

11/24/2022 Old Photographs | Coop got Home

Old Photographs | Coop got Home    Coop made it home from WWII after being badly injured and spending months in several hospitals.  This photo was taken shortly after he got home.  He looks quite different from the high school boy who left less than three years ago.  He was a very modest American hero.

He was awarded the Bronze Star on 20 Feb 1945 for meritorious achievement in ground combat in northern Luzon.  Then, on 12 May 1945, for extraordinary heroism in action, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the 2nd highest U.S. medal for heroism.  He was badly wounded in that action and was also awarded the Purple Heart.  Although he received the Purple Heart, through a some type of oversight, he was not presented with the Bronze Star or the Distinguished Service Cross.  They were sent posthumously in 2015 after research by his commanding officer’s son uncovered the oversight.

For more details on his Presidential Citation, see PFC Cooper’s DSC | a 7 Image Story.   Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.