BIOGRAPHY:
Lieutenant Colonel John P. Stopka was killed on 14 January 1945 near Michamps/province of Luxembourg Belgium by American planes who bombed the 3rd Battalion by mistake. He is buried at Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Plot: E, Row: 9, Grave: 38. |
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC)
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Rank:
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Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)
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Unit:
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Commanding Officer 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army
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Action:
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Major John P. Stopka (Army Serial No. 025263), Infantry, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in combat on 11 June 1944, near Carentan, France. Major Stopka's battalion was engaged in a fierce battle with a numerically superior enemy force for the possession of a causeway leading into Carentan. During the night, the battalion had infiltrated across the last four hotly contested bridges. At about 0530 the battalion came under heavy enemy automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire, causing casualties at an alarming rate and making the battalion position extremely precarious. Rather than withdraw, the battalion commander issued an order to assault the enemy position with fixed bayonets. Major Stopka, from his position across the road from the battalion commander, was able to coordinate the efforts of the two companies in the assault, but only by exposing himself continuously to the heavy enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Major Stopka disseminated the order to the two companies under his control. When the signal for the assault was given, he was the first man to get to his feet and move forward across the road into the open field in front of the enemy positions. Major Stopka's actions in the face of the enemy, and his complete devotion to duty exemplify leadership of the highest order and his conduct set an example to the officers and men under him., inspiring them with the aggressiveness and determination necessary to rout the enemy from their strongly held positions. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces of the United States. Entered military service from Wyoming.
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SILVER STAR
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Unit:
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3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army
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PURPLE HEART
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Unit:
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3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army
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Provide alterations or additional information |
| Information source(s): |
- Bando, M., 101st Airborne: The Screaming Eagles in World War II, Zenith Press, St. Paul/Minnesota, USA, 2007
- Rapport, L., Northwood Jr., A, Rendezvous with Destiny – A History of the 101st Airborne Division, The Battery Press, Nashville, USA, 2000 (reprint of the original 1948 edition not the later 1965 second edition)
- ww2-airborne.us
- 502pir.com
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