After serving three years in the Navy, Joe Hooper enlisted in the Army, serving three tours in Vietnam. Hooper has one of the most distinguished combat records in Army history, in spite of disciplinary issues that hurt his career.  Wounded in battle at least eight times, he is credited with 115 confirmed kills, including 22 that came on a single day during the Tet Offensive in 1968.  An excerpt of Hooper's Medal of Honor citation reads:  

 

"With utter disregard for his own safety, he moved out under the intense fire again and again while moving the wounded to safety.  During this act S/Sgt Hooper was seriously wounded, but he refused medical aid and returned to his men.  With the relentless enemy fire disrupting the attack,he single handedly stormed 3 enemy bunkers  and shot 2 enemy soldiers who had attacked and wounded the Chaplain".  Information courtesy the Army Historical Foundation.

 

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