Merlin Hoppe in military uniform, ca. 1940s
Title
Merlin Hoppe in military uniform, ca. 1940s
Subject
United States -- Williamson County -- Texas.
War (World War II).
War (World War II).
Description
Black and white portrait of Merlin Hoppe in his United States army uniform.
Merlin Hoppe enlisted in the United States Army in December 1943. His unit saw action in the Battle of the Rhine in early 1945. In February 1945, Hoppe's company breached the Siegfried Line, a German stronghold built along their western front.
At 3 o'clock in the morning on March 25, 1945, Hoppe's company began to cross the Rhine River. Two hours later, they encountered a machine gun nest. Hoppe was wounded in the knee, shoulder, and femur, and the flying bullets killed his friend beside him. Though injured, Hoppe forced his way forward and used a bazooka to take out the German nest.
Hoppe's comrades forced him to shelter in an empty house where he stayed for almost three days before medics evacuated him. Hoppe stated that he did not remember much pain, but he got some much-needed sleep. Hoppe's company received a Presidential Unit Citation for their actions crossing the Rhine. Hoppe received a Silver Star and Purple Heart for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy" while serving with the 87th division of the United States Army.
Merlin Hoppe is well-known for having built the horse arena at Ride On Center for Kids (R. O. C. K.), a hippotherapy center for disabled children and war veterans just outside of Georgetown, Texas. The arena is known as the "Merlin Hoppe Arena." Of building the arena, Merlin says, 'It's one of the best things I ever did."
Merlin Hoppe enlisted in the United States Army in December 1943. His unit saw action in the Battle of the Rhine in early 1945. In February 1945, Hoppe's company breached the Siegfried Line, a German stronghold built along their western front.
At 3 o'clock in the morning on March 25, 1945, Hoppe's company began to cross the Rhine River. Two hours later, they encountered a machine gun nest. Hoppe was wounded in the knee, shoulder, and femur, and the flying bullets killed his friend beside him. Though injured, Hoppe forced his way forward and used a bazooka to take out the German nest.
Hoppe's comrades forced him to shelter in an empty house where he stayed for almost three days before medics evacuated him. Hoppe stated that he did not remember much pain, but he got some much-needed sleep. Hoppe's company received a Presidential Unit Citation for their actions crossing the Rhine. Hoppe received a Silver Star and Purple Heart for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy" while serving with the 87th division of the United States Army.
Merlin Hoppe is well-known for having built the horse arena at Ride On Center for Kids (R. O. C. K.), a hippotherapy center for disabled children and war veterans just outside of Georgetown, Texas. The arena is known as the "Merlin Hoppe Arena." Of building the arena, Merlin says, 'It's one of the best things I ever did."
Source
Gift of Merlin Hoppe.
Date
ca. 1940s
Rights
All rights to the images are held by the respective holding institution. This image is posted for non-profit educational purposes, excluding printed publication. For permission to reproduce images and/or for copyright information, contact The Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626.
Language
English
Type
Photograph
Files
