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Personal info

Full name
STOPKA, John Paul
Date of birth
14 November 1915
Age
29
Place of birth
Minden, Fayette County, West Virginia
Hometown
Sheridan County, Wyoming

Military service

Service number
O-025263
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Function
unknown
Unit
HQ Company,
3rd Battalion,
502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment,
101st Airborne Division
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
14 January 1945
Place of death
Near Michamps, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
Plot Row Grave
E 9 38

Immediate family

Members
Charles L. Stopka (father)
Mary (Pilch) Stopka (mother)
Charles F. Stopka (brother)
Vivian (Esse) Stopka (wife)

More information

Lt Col John Stopka and some of his troopers were advancing through a pine forest along an elevated rail line. Enemy tanks were advancing along the other side. Someone called in for air support and the planes strafed too close to the friendly positions, resulting in the death of Col Stopka and thirty other soldiers near Michamps.

Lt Col John P. Stopka was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Grand Failly, France.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Williamsburg Family Tree, http://www.ww2-airborne.us, www.findagrave.com - Luxembourg American Cemetery
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Luxembourg American Cemetery, www.ancestry.com - Williamsburg