John Lafayette Cooper, Jr. was killed in action in Luxembourg at the Battle of the Bulge on January 14, 1945. He entered the United States Army in March, 1944, and was sent overseas in October, 1944. He served as a PFC in the 328th Army Infantry, 26th Division.
He was the beloved youngest son of John Lafayette "Fate" Cooper,Sr., and his wife, Myrtle Wilhelm Cooper, of New Hope, Madison County, Alabama. He was always called "Junior" by his family and friends. He graduated from New Hope High School in 1942 and was employed by the Birmingham Slag Company until he was inducted into the army. He received basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida, and had one 15 day furlough before being sent overseas.
He was survived by his parents, a brother, Cortice H. Cooper who was serving in the United States Navy, and a sister, Ethel Cooper Darnell.
In July, 1945, six months after his death, Junior's parents received a letter from Pfc. Charles M. Hester, who was at the Welch convalescent hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida. His comforting letter spoke highly of the young soldier:
"I was with your son when he was killed, and I just wanted to write you because he was such a good friend of mine. I feel like I know you from all the talks we had. We always talked about our families back home.
Junior and I were in the States together, went across and fought together. We've stayed in the holes several nights together and prayed together. You should be thankful for that, because he believed in the Lord, and I'm sure he had been reared in a Christian home.
He didn't suffer, because he died fast from shrapnel wounds in the neck and shoulder.
I want to visit you and tell you a few things he did over there and I can assure you that he was a good soldier. I know it's hard to lose a son like that. You have my deepest sympathy.
I live in Cherokee, just 20 miles from your daughter. When I get home, I'll drive over to see you, because I'm sure Junior would have done as much for me.
I am a bit nervous yet. Got shell-shocked in Munich. Please write and I'll be glad to answer any questions that I can.
May God bring your other son home safely."
PFC John Lafayette Cooper, Jr. - "Junior" - is missed to this day. Most of his family and friends who lived during his lifetime have passed away, but Junior is still loved and talked about by nieces and family members.This brave young soldier who gave his life in service to his country during World War II is not forgotten.
He was the beloved youngest son of John Lafayette "Fate" Cooper,Sr., and his wife, Myrtle Wilhelm Cooper, of New Hope, Madison County, Alabama. He was always called "Junior" by his family and friends. He graduated from New Hope High School in 1942 and was employed by the Birmingham Slag Company until he was inducted into the army. He received basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida, and had one 15 day furlough before being sent overseas.
He was survived by his parents, a brother, Cortice H. Cooper who was serving in the United States Navy, and a sister, Ethel Cooper Darnell.
In July, 1945, six months after his death, Junior's parents received a letter from Pfc. Charles M. Hester, who was at the Welch convalescent hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida. His comforting letter spoke highly of the young soldier:
"I was with your son when he was killed, and I just wanted to write you because he was such a good friend of mine. I feel like I know you from all the talks we had. We always talked about our families back home.
Junior and I were in the States together, went across and fought together. We've stayed in the holes several nights together and prayed together. You should be thankful for that, because he believed in the Lord, and I'm sure he had been reared in a Christian home.
He didn't suffer, because he died fast from shrapnel wounds in the neck and shoulder.
I want to visit you and tell you a few things he did over there and I can assure you that he was a good soldier. I know it's hard to lose a son like that. You have my deepest sympathy.
I live in Cherokee, just 20 miles from your daughter. When I get home, I'll drive over to see you, because I'm sure Junior would have done as much for me.
I am a bit nervous yet. Got shell-shocked in Munich. Please write and I'll be glad to answer any questions that I can.
May God bring your other son home safely."
PFC John Lafayette Cooper, Jr. - "Junior" - is missed to this day. Most of his family and friends who lived during his lifetime have passed away, but Junior is still loved and talked about by nieces and family members.This brave young soldier who gave his life in service to his country during World War II is not forgotten.
John Lafayette Cooper, Jr. was killed in action in Luxembourg at the Battle of the Bulge on January 14, 1945. He entered the United States Army in March, 1944, and was sent overseas in October, 1944. He served as a PFC in the 328th Army Infantry, 26th Division.
He was the beloved youngest son of John Lafayette "Fate" Cooper,Sr., and his wife, Myrtle Wilhelm Cooper, of New Hope, Madison County, Alabama. He was always called "Junior" by his family and friends. He graduated from New Hope High School in 1942 and was employed by the Birmingham Slag Company until he was inducted into the army. He received basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida, and had one 15 day furlough before being sent overseas.
He was survived by his parents, a brother, Cortice H. Cooper who was serving in the United States Navy, and a sister, Ethel Cooper Darnell.
In July, 1945, six months after his death, Junior's parents received a letter from Pfc. Charles M. Hester, who was at the Welch convalescent hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida. His comforting letter spoke highly of the young soldier:
"I was with your son when he was killed, and I just wanted to write you because he was such a good friend of mine. I feel like I know you from all the talks we had. We always talked about our families back home.
Junior and I were in the States together, went across and fought together. We've stayed in the holes several nights together and prayed together. You should be thankful for that, because he believed in the Lord, and I'm sure he had been reared in a Christian home.
He didn't suffer, because he died fast from shrapnel wounds in the neck and shoulder.
I want to visit you and tell you a few things he did over there and I can assure you that he was a good soldier. I know it's hard to lose a son like that. You have my deepest sympathy.
I live in Cherokee, just 20 miles from your daughter. When I get home, I'll drive over to see you, because I'm sure Junior would have done as much for me.
I am a bit nervous yet. Got shell-shocked in Munich. Please write and I'll be glad to answer any questions that I can.
May God bring your other son home safely."
PFC John Lafayette Cooper, Jr. - "Junior" - is missed to this day. Most of his family and friends who lived during his lifetime have passed away, but Junior is still loved and talked about by nieces and family members.This brave young soldier who gave his life in service to his country during World War II is not forgotten.
He was the beloved youngest son of John Lafayette "Fate" Cooper,Sr., and his wife, Myrtle Wilhelm Cooper, of New Hope, Madison County, Alabama. He was always called "Junior" by his family and friends. He graduated from New Hope High School in 1942 and was employed by the Birmingham Slag Company until he was inducted into the army. He received basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida, and had one 15 day furlough before being sent overseas.
He was survived by his parents, a brother, Cortice H. Cooper who was serving in the United States Navy, and a sister, Ethel Cooper Darnell.
In July, 1945, six months after his death, Junior's parents received a letter from Pfc. Charles M. Hester, who was at the Welch convalescent hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida. His comforting letter spoke highly of the young soldier:
"I was with your son when he was killed, and I just wanted to write you because he was such a good friend of mine. I feel like I know you from all the talks we had. We always talked about our families back home.
Junior and I were in the States together, went across and fought together. We've stayed in the holes several nights together and prayed together. You should be thankful for that, because he believed in the Lord, and I'm sure he had been reared in a Christian home.
He didn't suffer, because he died fast from shrapnel wounds in the neck and shoulder.
I want to visit you and tell you a few things he did over there and I can assure you that he was a good soldier. I know it's hard to lose a son like that. You have my deepest sympathy.
I live in Cherokee, just 20 miles from your daughter. When I get home, I'll drive over to see you, because I'm sure Junior would have done as much for me.
I am a bit nervous yet. Got shell-shocked in Munich. Please write and I'll be glad to answer any questions that I can.
May God bring your other son home safely."
PFC John Lafayette Cooper, Jr. - "Junior" - is missed to this day. Most of his family and friends who lived during his lifetime have passed away, but Junior is still loved and talked about by nieces and family members.This brave young soldier who gave his life in service to his country during World War II is not forgotten.
