S/Sgt Chopping was a gunner on B-24 bombers, serving with the 19th Bomber Group, 28th Bomber Squadron. On January 17, 1942 he took part in a three plane raid against Manado on the island of Celebes when they came under attack from a swarm of Japanese Zeros. Chopping was knocked to the floor with a bullet through his lung, but he managed to return to his feet and shoot down an enemy plane and force another to turn away. His plane was heavily damaged and had to make a forced landing. The crew was rescued by a Navy PBY.
On August 2 he was struck in the back by anti-aircraft shrapnel.
In the pre-dawn hours of November 2 he was aboard B-17F #41-24424, nicknamed 'Hell From Heaven Men' and they were searching for a Japanese convoy between Gasmata and Milne Bay. They attacked two large merchant ships and two destroyers, encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire which knocked out two of the bombers engines and mortally wounded Chopping.
Although he was supposed to still be on the sick list, Chopping had insisted in coming along on the mission. Days before they had received new that they would soon be going home on leave for Christmas.
He received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On August 2 he was struck in the back by anti-aircraft shrapnel.
In the pre-dawn hours of November 2 he was aboard B-17F #41-24424, nicknamed 'Hell From Heaven Men' and they were searching for a Japanese convoy between Gasmata and Milne Bay. They attacked two large merchant ships and two destroyers, encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire which knocked out two of the bombers engines and mortally wounded Chopping.
Although he was supposed to still be on the sick list, Chopping had insisted in coming along on the mission. Days before they had received new that they would soon be going home on leave for Christmas.
He received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
S/Sgt Chopping was a gunner on B-24 bombers, serving with the 19th Bomber Group, 28th Bomber Squadron. On January 17, 1942 he took part in a three plane raid against Manado on the island of Celebes when they came under attack from a swarm of Japanese Zeros. Chopping was knocked to the floor with a bullet through his lung, but he managed to return to his feet and shoot down an enemy plane and force another to turn away. His plane was heavily damaged and had to make a forced landing. The crew was rescued by a Navy PBY.
On August 2 he was struck in the back by anti-aircraft shrapnel.
In the pre-dawn hours of November 2 he was aboard B-17F #41-24424, nicknamed 'Hell From Heaven Men' and they were searching for a Japanese convoy between Gasmata and Milne Bay. They attacked two large merchant ships and two destroyers, encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire which knocked out two of the bombers engines and mortally wounded Chopping.
Although he was supposed to still be on the sick list, Chopping had insisted in coming along on the mission. Days before they had received new that they would soon be going home on leave for Christmas.
He received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On August 2 he was struck in the back by anti-aircraft shrapnel.
In the pre-dawn hours of November 2 he was aboard B-17F #41-24424, nicknamed 'Hell From Heaven Men' and they were searching for a Japanese convoy between Gasmata and Milne Bay. They attacked two large merchant ships and two destroyers, encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire which knocked out two of the bombers engines and mortally wounded Chopping.
Although he was supposed to still be on the sick list, Chopping had insisted in coming along on the mission. Days before they had received new that they would soon be going home on leave for Christmas.
He received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.
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