My father was a Hero of World War II I did not know it until 25 years after he died. He hardly would talk about his service in the war but like watching the old TV show "Combat". He was rewarded the Army Marksmanship Badge for an Expert Rifleman, Combat Infantry Badges, 1 Bronzes Star, 3 Bronzes Stars on ETO, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button WW11, World War11Victory Medal, and several other metals for his service. This is a small report of his service in the Army. Induction service date 28 March 1944 at Fort McPherson Georgia. Departure date 24 September 1944 for Europe, return date 13 January 1945 from Europe, Separation 13 July 1945, "Honorable Discharge from the United State Army". Joe was drafted in the Army of the United States of American. He was a rifleman "745" Private. He joined 30th Division, 2nd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, Company "F" 30th Division, US 9th Army under Simson, 12th Army Group under Bradley, under Eisenhower on 1st of October 1944. During "The Battle of the Bulge", the 30th Division was assigned to the US 1st Army under Hodges. The 30th Division was known as old Hickory, during the war the Division picked up a couple nick names, the "Work Horse of the Western Front" or as the Germans named them on 18 December 1944 "Roosevelt's SS Troops". On 21 December 1944 around Malmedy Belgium, they were attacked by Germany's 1st SS Panzer "Adolf Hitler's Division. My father was wounded in the right hand and arm by a hand grenade thrown by the enemy. The grenade left shrapnel fragments in his hand and arm. He could not receive medical help for several days because of the heavy fighting by that time gangrene infection had set in his hand. He was shipped to London to a hospital and later lost his hand. The attack failed by stubborn, determined resistance, and the courage of the American soldiers. The Battle of the Bulge was the American soldier's hardest European battleground and it was also their "FINEST HOUR" "Joe" Joseph S. Hopkins Family Comprise of 3 daughters, 2 sons, 6 granddaughters, 8 grandsons, 11 great granddaughters, 10 great grandsons, 3 great great granddaughter and 3 great great grandsons: "what a family."(1) Bettie daughter, (2) David grandson, (3) Bryce great grandson, (4) Sarah great granddaughter, (5) Christy granddaughter, (6) Emily great granddaughter, (7) Annie great great granddaughter, (8) Abby great granddaughter, (9) Lisa granddaughter, (10) Lexi great granddaughter, (11) Nicholas great grandson, (12) Edna daughter, (13) Melanie granddaughter, (14) Tabitha great granddaughter, (15) Ella great great granddaughter, (16) Ax great great grandson, (17) Tony great grandson, (18) Keith grandson, (19) Blaire great granddaughter, (20) Cohutta great great grandson, (21) Oakley great great grandson, (22) John Paul grandson, (23) C.J. great grandson, (24) Zemirah great great granddaughter, (25) Kennedy great granddaughter, (26) Evan great grandson, (27) Madison great granddaughter, (28) Jack son, (29) Kelly granddaughter, (30) Ella great granddaughter, (31) Justin grandson, (32) Leif great grandson, (33) Elias great grandson, (34) Pat daughter, (35) Krystal granddaughter, (36) Bradley grandson, (37) Kelly great grandson, (38) Reagan great granddaughter, (39) Bobby grandson, (40) Brit great grandson,(41) Blakelie great granddaughter, (42) Jerry son, (43) Joseph grandson, (44) Holly granddaughter, (45) Holden great grandson, (46) Jacob grandson. A Loveable and old soul. You may not be around in person but your spirit will live on forever in our hearts. Your life has ended, but your legacy of wisdom, integrity and courage will go on forever. The Wandering Jackanese, Jack S. Hopkins, 770-428-1591