Piedmont in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Joe Ronnie Hooper
Captain United States Army
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 6, 2011
1. Joe Ronnie Hooper Marker
August 8, 1938
Earned the Medal of Honor
while serving as Staff Sergeant
Company D, 2nd Battalion, 501st
Infantry, 101st Airborne Division
on February 21, 1968 near
Hue, Vietnam
His other decorations include
Two Silver Stars
Six Bronze Stars
Eight Purple Hearts
Died of natural causes at home
May 6, 1979
Buried in Section 46 at
Arlington National Cemetery
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1821.
Location. 34° 42.183′ N, 82° 27.667′ W. Marker is in Piedmont, South Carolina, in Greenville County. Marker is on County Road 182, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Piedmont SC 29673, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. James Lawrence Orr (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Edgeworth Beattie (about 500 feet away); Henry Pinckney Hammett (about 500 feet away); Rose Hill Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Luther Samuel Payne (approx. 1.3 miles away);
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Joe Hooper. Captain Joe Ronnie Hooper (August 8, 1938–May 6, 1979) was a Vietnam veteran whose combat decorations surpassed those of Lt. Audie Murphy or Sgt. Alvin York. (Submitted on February 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. The Forgotten Soldier: The Story of Staff Sergeant Joe Ronnie Hooper. It was philosopher and theologian Plato who once said, “A hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men.” (Submitted on February 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Joe Ronnie Hooper (1938-1979): Find a Grave Memorial. Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. (Submitted on February 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. 101st Airborne Division. The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular infantry division trained for air assault operations. (Submitted on February 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
5. Medal of Honor
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 6, 2011
2. Flag Marker
in memory of
Ford Waldrop
for his dedicated
community service
1915-1990
6. Silver Star. The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy. (Submitted on February 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
7. Bronze Star Medal. The Bronze Star Medal (or BSM) is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. (Submitted on February 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
8. Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. (Submitted on February 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Combat Decorations
There is a note on this page (Also See No. 1) stating Capt Hooper's # of combat medals exceeded those of Maj. Audie Murphy. Not so! Just look at any of the on-line photos of both men in uniform. One
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 6, 2011
3. Joe Ronnie Hooper Marker -
Piedmont Community Center in Background
Piedmont Community Center in Background
— Submitted November 28, 2020.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 5,506 times since then and 78 times this year. Last updated on January 11, 2017, by Donald Yates of Clarksville, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 6, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
