The Tragic Story of Veteran Earl Hopper Jr | P.38 & Luger Capture

In this video, we tell the story of two US military veterans, Earl Hopper Sr and Earl Hopper Jr. Earl Hopper Sr served in WW2 and brought back these really nice examples of Luger and P.38 pistols. His son, Earl Hopper Jr, served in the US Air Force in the Vietnam War. Tragically, he was shot down over and the jungle and killed in action.
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[@JohnDoe-tl1ns]

My grandson and i just love your videos

[@teddybitner3302]

I had the privilege of knowing Earl and Patty Hopper late in Earl's life through the POW/MIA community. Earl was a professional and a gentleman and Patty is a fantastic lady. Thanks for sharing their story!!!

[@stephenr115]

All these stories need to be assembled with photos of firearms. I don’t think I’ve seen such a book. Seems like you are the perfect person for this!

[@bruceevans8837]

The simple fact that families like the Hoppers choose to entrust their legacies to you is an extremely high compliment. The recognition you afford those legacies is admirable, well done Tom.

[@browngreen933]

Hopper's Luger is a 1938 SN# 7241. Mine is a 1938 Luger SN# 7692. I wasn't in the Battle of the Bulge, but my father in the 5th Armored Division was stationed during the Battle of the Bulge 20 miles from Malmady and ended up on the Elbe River facing the Russians. Although I have three of his WW2 souvinir guns, the Luger came from AIM in 2000 for $437.50.

[@hescher2981]

Dam fine of you sir, to honor that man and to give him such respect.

[@55commander]

My father was a combat medic in the 78th Infantry Division. He and another medic were to set up an aid station in a town that had been captured. They found the city hall and decided to put the station there. They found a locker room in the basement with complete German Army uniforms in each locker. Dad took four pistols with holsters. A Lugar for himself and three P38's for his father and two brothers who were in the Pacific. The P38's are long gone but the Luger is still with us. After VE Day he was assigned to an MP detachment in Berlin until February 1946. He left Germany with two duffel bags full of souvenirs. As it turned out by that time no one was searching the GIs coming home.

[@lavida57]

Tom , the work you do saving our history and keeping the interest in the firearms of our wars and our Men is very honorable. Thank you

[@lavida57]

Good to hear the Family found there Son.

[@samharper4289]

God bless Col. Hopper Sr., his wife and family! Sad to hear about Earl Hopper Jr's fate, but I'm sure the family can appreciate the closure. I'm a veteran myself, and every time I hear stories like this about my fellow brother's and sister's in arms, it hits me deep in the soul! Only something a servicemember can understand! God bless this family, and all who have served and lost loved ones!! 🙏❤

[@mcburgerking1523]

God Bless this family for their sacrifices and service to this country! SEMPERFi!

[@darrinrentruc6614]

Not about you

[@sararedfearn4691]

My sentiments exactly. Thank you . Mr JR ex Army, 24 years Infantry.

[@JohnViinalass-lc1ow]

...another first-class post...Colonel Hopper...what strength, depth of character!...thank you, widow Hopper, for allowing us this glimpse into your family's joys and sorrows!...

[@renegade44040]

My grandfathers name is James O'Sullivan. He was shot twice taken both German bullets to the gut during the battle of the bulge. He survived and was awarded the purple heart. He worked and retired as a mail sorter in Boston.

[@robertcahill8484]

Thank for always telling the story of Veterans, I feel it’s important for people to remember these Patriots.

[@americanpatriot2422]

Outstanding video and presentation. Thank you

[@wilmerphilrivera-mercado1241]

Great history/ thank you

[@utahammocan2578]

Dr Whiteman, thank you so much for this video. Very moving. I LOVE all our veterans and am proud that my dad and his brother, my uncle, served in WWII. You are right, the personal side of the firearms stories are as important as the firearms themselves, and I am so glad you are keeping all the legacies alive. Bravo. Regards Richard Wilkinson Utah

[@sparkplug5481]

Excellent video

[@michaelmusson3593]

.Thank you for this presentation and honoring our soldiers, These German Lugers hold a special place for me. They are so well machined and to be honest they just feel right in the hand.

[@stitchlilo01]

Sir, thank you for this inspirational, and yet, tragically sad for the Hoppers. God Bless our Troops!

[@fredflintstome6532]

Thank you for this very interesting story. What a Mum and Dad still looking for their son after being reported dead, and still taking the time to care for others.

[@Runner-fz5qg]

I bought a p38 recently that a family couldn’t keep because they live in states that are not 2A friendly so they decided to offer it to someone who would take care of it and wanted it it’s a 1943 spreewerk and the man took phenomenal care of it I would’ve like to have gotten to know the man who brought it back and what his story was because I’ve only heard bits and pieces that he landed in Normandy and fought his way through to the end and apparently got wounded once or twice the family couldn’t get him to talk much but that’s what they said and if true the man saw a lot and I have a massive amount of respect for him and his memory.

[@feralvulcan7955]

If you could find out what outfit he was with, I'm sure that would help with research.

[@7983jj]

Incredible and priceless content! Thank you for keeping this important history alive.

[@enscroggs]

4:14 There were few if any SS units in Hasso von Manteuffel's 5th Panzer Army. If I'm not mistaken, The German units facing the 101st Airborne were part of the 5th. The German "officer" probably belonged to the 26th Volksgrenadier Division, the principal unit besieging Bastogne, along with attached field artillery, panzer jaeger, and flak units. While it is true that officers usually carried sidearms, enlisted soldiers did as well, particularly, artillerymen and vehicle crewmen. Because of their duties or the very cramped interior of their armored vehicles, these enlisted soldiers had no rifles issued to them. Instead, they received some type of secondary weapon, a PDW in modern parlance. In WWI it was often the much sought-after Lange Pistole 08. By 1944 it was a hodge-podge of whatever was available, from pistols to SMGs, many of these were re-issued "loot weapons" like the Russian PPSh-41.

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

My grandfather was in the 82nd AB and merchant marines from 44-49. When I was a child, he gave me his (pin on metal) paratrooper badge, hang gliding badge, and two 82nd AB badges (one larger, one smaller). And bc I was just a child and had no clue what I had, I played with them all the time and eventually lost them 😔... I still feel SO BAD about this. Although after I got older, he gave me some other items that I still have today. Like his issued detachable bayonet with sheath, some photos from his time in the service, including some incredible photos of practice jumps from both planes and towers, as well as his little issued can opener (which I still carry with my keys and occasionally use). I'll never forgive myself for losing his badges though. It drives me crazy to think about, even to this day.

[@scottshea6927]

Fantastic video Tom! Thank you so much.

[@simonjones6128]

Lovin the story Tom

[@JoJoJoker]

For a moment I thought this was about Hoobler, from Easy Company (the one in Band of Brothers who shot himself with a captured Luger).

[@Nick_B_Bad]

At least they were able to bring the remains of their son back home. 🙏🏻

[@adrianotero7963]

They at least had closure....imagine knowing that your son had survived the ejection and was captured.....was seen by other prisoners and has still not returned....

[@HopliteWarlord]

The Wow factor here is beyond Wow. This Soldier fought in the Battle of The Bulge and scored not one but two pieces of firearm history. God Bless his eternal and heroic soul.. Thank You sir.

[@stacybrown3714]

Awesome story about awesome people. Thank you for these kinds of videos. I watch your channel for the guns and history, but I enjoy these videos even more. God bless you and God bless America.

[@maxvauderk816]

The NVA knew dad was a advisor

[@JRCinKY]

Great video with a touching story. Thanks to families like This, we are able to still live in relative freedom....for now.

[@flouisbailey]

So true for now FJB, Brandon needs to bite 10% of our problems, he caused most of it.

[@patadams4448]

Your best video. Great story.

[@stoneblue1795]

Great presentation (as always) and the backstory as well. Many thanks to those who have served and the families behind that supported and missed them.

[@billb89]

I once bought a P-38 in the original hardshell holster. It was on a gun show table for $750. Bore was bright white factory new, all internal parts were in the white and the finish was probably 99% with only slight wear to the edges. Wish I still had that pistol. No doubt brought back and stayed in the vet's sock drawer or foot locker for 70 years.

[@LegacyCollectibles]

It would be more than double that amount now. Good investments

[@gerrypowell2748]

Hope he Rests in Peace and his son as well❤️

[@michaelsalfai9852]

My Dad was an Infantry Platoon Sergeant who served in N. Africa and Italy during WWII. He had obtained these two pistols, along with belts and holsters, from Germans he had captured. They were not allowed to carry captured enemy equipment/weapons and had to turn them in to supply where they would be tagged for eventual return to them. Unfortunately he was wounded and evacuated/hospitalized. As you might imagine, he never saw his pistols again. I am sure some REMF has regaled people over the years as to how he "captured" these weapons.

[@reggierico]

Great, great post! Thanks for sharing the back story, Tom. Very interesting and a nice introduction to a great, patriotic family.

[@mantia39]

This is one of...if not THE best video you've posted. Thank you for this.

[@frankjenkins3871]

Thank you for that story.

[@mikemorgan8895]

I love your channel. Very interesting information you came up with about Earl jr and his father. Your research is so riveting.

[@adrianotero7963]

Very bittersweet story those two firearms brought us....

[@MrMuppetbaby]

Tom you are an inspiration to us all with your accurate, heartfelt and sensitive reporting on the fascinating truth and history of these weapons you find. It is often a history lesson and I can't say always fun, but real, and makes me think about what has gone before. Sobering reporting and entertaining too. You are something else let me just say with all love and respect. Tod in Vegas. :)

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank you Tom and Randy!!

[@verncommet1798]

As always another great video and story. I have a p38 captured at Berchtesgaden by a 101st soldier. Unfortunately I don’t have the full story as I worked with the neurosurgeon who operated on the soldier who presented it to him in gratitude, he gave it to me as my grandfather fought with the 82 as a glider pilot. My treasure

[@Nighthawk1966]

Great video ! Very well put together !!

[@Hidalguense]

Love the history behind the guns. 👍

[@dominicbranca7152]

I love your history lessons. Thank you and thank you to the Hopper family.

[@johnconley1757]

Good video. Sad about Earl Hopper Jr.

[@mrcarlo1966]

Thank you for all of the information especially about Earl Jr.🇺🇸

[@landscape674]

Thank you for posting this video!

[@henrybucki7813]

i heard part of the release deal for the pows was that the usa had agreed to give the north millions $ to help rebuild after the war and then we refused so the north just kept the rest of the pows and we listed them as missing in action.

[@arthurc4531]

Very cool. Enjoyed hearing the back story.

[@irgski]

Thanks for sharing the story of the Hoppers. RIP

[@virgilcain8152]

Superb post! Amazing to find out about JR! Thanks

[@ianmangham4570]

Stunning 😍

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

Two American Heros. May the Holy Spirit the great Comforter continue to embrace their families. Americans salute these brave men and their families for their courage and dedication to defending our freedom.

[@bobwilliams2326]

It is so sad that we had to lose so many of our loved one in that conflick

[@LS1007]

Fascinating story. Thanks for sharing it and may they rest in peace. 🙏🏼

[@francisschweitzer8431]

Incredible information. Thank you.

[@al.march.7457]

Uncle Tom! Thank you so much for keeping this story alive!! You're right, you're titan!!!

[@toddbraddock236]

Awesome video!!!! Thank you!

[@jeffray2333]

Thank you for this story

[@enscroggs]

Regarding that photo of Earl Hopper in the jeep. Given that these men are not wearing combat gear or winter clothing and have no weapons other than sidearms, I would assume that picture was taken postwar in the summer of 1945. Between VE Day and VJ Day, the 101st was deployed in Bavaria, most notably Berchtesgaden, and later in Austria, where the division awaited re-deployment to the Pacific. So what was Lt. Hopper doing in Belgium when his division was in Austria? Was he on leave and sightseeing? Surely not. Most likely he had been seconded to a Graves Registration battalion as a consultant. The 101st left hundreds of its comrades buried in shallow graves blasted out of the frozen soil with C4. An eyewitness familiar with the units involved was frequently indispensable to the correct identification of the mortal remains of those heroes.

[@jgrenwod]

Little known fact about Missing In Action service members in Vietnam. When declared MIA, pay and promotions continued going to their wives until were recovered/rescued or declared deceased. Once declared deceased all pay stopped and surviving wives started receiving Survivor Benefit payments which was substantially less than even a Captains pay let alone a LtCol.

[@keithmoore5306]

that picture of him in the jeep was taken at a different time than the battle it appears to be taken in springtime there's no snow and no winter gear! and it's possible some MIA's are alive and simply walked away for some reason but most i'm sure there was nothing left to find!

[@timf2279]

I was thinking that as well. Also they looked like they were not wearing winter uniforms, and I understand when the 101st deployed to Bastone they were not wearing winter uniforms, however, they had acquired winter clothing along the way.

[@keithmoore5306]

@@timf2279 still the lack of snow and the trees in the background having leaves so it appears says springtime! not all that uncommon for soldiers to go to where they fought to look around! and there was two levels of winter gear in WW2 normal and arctic they had normal winter gear at departure for Bastone that was general issue after basic training when assigned to theater where it was required it might be the arctic level stuff they're talking about seeing how the winter was colder than expected

[@timf2279]

@keithmoore5306 That's a possibility for sure. We were just saying it wasn't during the battle. Would be a good idea anyway to stop for a photo opp with Germans about all over. Thanks for the uniform info.

[@keithmoore5306]

@@timf2279 something i just thought of their footlockers may have been in storage in the rear and were just brought up right before they moved out?

[@simonsparks5738]

This story convinced me to subscribe. Fantastic insight albeit tragic. Greetings from South Africa. Thanks for your channel.

[@michaelamanek8908]

What a Hugh story. Thank you.

[@mikehagan4320]

A really meaningful video! Thank you and Best Wishes from Montana M.H

[@garyzanghi9272]

Great story and history

[@edwinsalau150]

Thank you!

[@828enigma6]

I had a SVW(I think) P38 SN 171717. Stupidly sold it 20 years ago. I remember the SN because it was so unusual. Love to find it and bring it home.

[@scottyjordan9023]

My friends grandfather brought back a P38 WW2. He took the belt holster and all from the dead German. The 2 magazines have matching serial numbers to the pistol.

[@randallhunsaker5766]

Heartbreaking story. God Bless them. Many thanks for sharing.

[@Dqalex]

Gene Hackman In the movie Uncommon Valor covered this subject

[@dogsense3773]

My wife's uncle was in the 442 all Japanese unit in WW2, when he died in 2009 I got his lungar, date of 1938 all matching numbers of # 14 with the gun leather case, some what better condition that yours. Thanks!

[@VR-ym8ys]

Those soft shell holsters were still in use in the Bundeswehr, I carried one with a P1 in it all over Germany.

[@hnangell]

He left the Army in 1970 (enlisted in 1940 + 30 years = 1970). In 1960 Eisenhower was president and Vietnam was not an issue for the US Army.

[@kurtb2522]

Thank you, Tom. Kurt Bullington, LTC US Army (Ret)

[@denniscarpenter4427]

When my dad got on ship to go to the Pacific from Italy he had so many luger's he sold them to sailors for five dollars each. The only pistol he kept was a Browning 45. When I was a kid I can remember him trading it for a 357 revolver.

[@454FatJack]

P08 black tunic Ss officer . Why in pictures they usually wear 32 cal holster’s 😂 Skull on both patches too.. tank driver army😅

[@smlee7348]

.... Ordered Capt to eject at that moment.... saluting you.... Dad and Mom proud of you.... RIP Son.... good day

[@Paladin1873]

It is indeed a tragic story. That a man such as Colonel Hopper, who served our nation in three wars, had to endure the unending anguish of never knowing if his first born was alive or dead, is particularly galling. At least his family eventually learned the truth. I would like to clear up a few points mentioned in the video. Colonel Hopper's widow states in her letter that her husband served for 30 years in the Army, so I suspect he retired in 1970. Their son would have been a First Lieutenant at the time he was reported MIA. It was Air Force policy to allow POW/MIA officers to meet regular promotion boards on time and be elevated in rank at least through Lieutenant Colonel. This would explain why a young man, age 24 at the time of his disappearance, would be addressed today by this more senior rank. Thank you for relating this compelling story.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks Tom.....l am in my 80's now...... Old Navy Flying Shoe🇺🇸

[@jasonshumate6456]

The only Luger I have Held in Person belong to my Friends father, he took it out of his safe, he took it off of a Dead NVA Colonel.

[@petehaack5228]

I believe there were weapons that were captured from the Germans on the Eastern Front, which were later given to the Vietnamese by the USSR as war aid, probably how he wound up with it. I have fired both the Luger and the P38, both belonging to friends. Of the two, I liked the P38 much better, never really saw the appeal of the Luger.

[@jasonshumate6456]

@@petehaack5228 that is what My Friends Dad Mr. Wilson taught me while he let me hold it. He was a Serious,Very Cool Man He is Missed

[@petehaack5228]

@@jasonshumate6456 I am sorry to hear of his loss. Thank you for sharing.

[@timf2279]

@@petehaack5228 I think the Lugar just has a better look. The P 38 has an industrial look. Just my thoughts.

[@mabbrey]

well done tom great vid

[@brianhenderson2851]

Great video Tom, it's sad such courageous people that fought for our freedoms , and sacrificed so much, just to have our present governments try to take it away, both in Canada and the US . FJB +FJT!!

[@JJGuccione]

Something's odd about the F4-D ejection. I was an F4 aircraft maintenance instructor. The back seat has to eject first. If the front seat ejected first, the catapult, (rocket) would torch the Weapons Systems Operator (WSO) in the back seat. Hence, if the WSO was incapacitated, and the front seat initiated ejection, the back seat would still fire off first. Part of any ejection sequence is tightening leg restraints to prevent flail injuries. That happens automatically whether they're incapacitated or not - both front and back seats.

[@pascal6707]

8:33 : "Outside Bastogne - dec 1944-jan 1945". Humm, humm, these were the 2 coldest months of winter 44-45, with A LOT of snow. Thses 3 soldiers are wearing regular cloths, not winter cloths. Something is wrong here...

[@mlblover5268]

GOD bless the Hopper family. Thank you for your honorable and dedicated service to our great nation!

[@stephenr115]

I purchased these! If you see this I authorize Legacy to provide you with my contact info as I’d like to discuss the admirable service of your husband and would like to additionally document and keep the story alive! I am so proud to own these

[@fochdischitt3561]

The holster may have red rot.

[@jamesgarcia9514]

That hole was a GI web belt it kept it from sliding from front to back..

[@dandee3032]

a brave man !!!!!!!!!!

[@haroldgodwinson832]

Your show, of course, but I'm not sure I'd have called-out Mrs Hopper for describing a P38, as a 'Walther' (which it ostensibly is), rather than referencing the specific subcontractor, in this case Mauser. That's like castigating someone because they called a P08 a Luger rather than referencing Kreighoff, DWM, Simson, Erfurt or some other entity. Most people could think you confused, and rightly so, if you went about saying .... "I have a Mauser P38".

[@rollotomasislawyer3405]

She game from a generation that had excellent handwriting skills. Nothing to do with the video but I noticed how beautiful she wrote on the back of the photo.

[@adamhoffman3687]

It's baffling to me that the family would not keep these items.

[@timf2279]

I didn't get the part if they donated them or sold them. If they are kept in a collection or resold. ?

[@adamhoffman3687]

@@timf2279 idk either.

[@timf2279]

@adamhoffman3687 I don't know if you watch the history underground ch. The Gettysburg museum has the same issue. Some is donated, some are bought some is displayed and some are sold. Seems stuff would get co-mingled

[@shootfirst2097]

No more brother wars.

[@briankroenung7995]

You may want to remove his SSN from his ID Card.

[@mfreund15448]

He was a true American hero before he went to a Korea and Vietnam. If his son was there, I am sure that all avenues would have been exhausted as a courtesy to a hero.