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Pfc Albert J. Hopper attended Pittsburg High School, where he was prominent on debate teams, was a member of the band and went to Sunflower Boys' State in Wichita, where he was a candidate for state treasurer. Pfc Hopper later attended the college and worked at various places in Pittsburg, among which were the Colonial theater and the Pittsburg Headlight. In 1942, he went to Wichita, where he was employed by the Beech Aircraft corporation.

On 29 September 1942 he was married to Mary Elizabeth Stenger.

He enlisted in January 1943 at Fort Leavenworth and was stationed first at Sheppard Field, Texas, where he was a meteorology cadet, until he was transferred to Johns Hopkins University, where he was stationed for nine months as an engineer student in the A.S.T.P. program. When the program was disbanded, Pvt Hopper was transferred tot the infantry. He was sent overseas in October 1944.

About six weeks before Pvt Hopper's death he wrote the following letter from England to his daughter Mary Beth, who was one year old 16 October 1944:
"Dearest Mary Beth, This is the first letter your daddy has ever written to you, but then your birthday is definitely an occasion. It is very hard for me to realize that you are such a big girl now as I have seen you at such broken periods of time. Thank you, sweet, for the lovely birthday card. I won't get an opportunity to send you anything on time, but you can rest assured that your daddy won't forget you. I may not see you for a long, long time, but remember to do as your mumsy tells you and Daddy will be very, very proud of you. Happy Birthday, Gremlin! Remember that Daddy loves his little girl an awful lot. With love, Daddy."