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Submitted: 12/11/08 • Approved: 1/29/11 • Last Updated: 8/26/12 • R120886-G0-S3
LANCE CORPORAL US Marine Corps
Iraq War
October 23, 1983 - January 26, 2005
Purple Heart
Operation Iraqi Freedom II
Killed In Action
Arkansas Marine laid to rest in hometown
WYNNE, Ark. — A Hawaii-based Marine who was killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq was laid to rest Thursday.
Lance Cpl. Brian C. Hopper, 21, of Wynne, was among 30 Marines and one sailor killed in the crash of a CH-53E military helicopter in western Iraq on Jan. 26.
“This is the way we operate together to take care of any fallen Marine,” Minister Robbie McMaster said. “It’s only befitting that we do that.”
Hopper earned three Purple Hearts, one posthumously, for injuries suffered.
His brother, Lance Cpl. Patrick Hopper, also serving in Iraq, accompanied Brian Hopper’s body home Tuesday.
Most of those aboard the aircraft were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, the Pentagon said. Officials said the helicopter was on a routine mission in support of Sunday’s elections in Iraq. There was severe weather in the area.
Hopper’s family said he had returned to active duty so he could stay in Iraq to serve with his comrades.
— Associated Press
Contributed on 12/11/08 by pam_don202
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Record #: 120886