John P. Stopka
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

On 11 June 1944, then-Major John P. Stopka was serving as Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, MAJ Stopka’s 3rd Battalion was in action against German forces near Carentan, France, engaged in a fierce battle with a numerically superior enemy force for the possession of a causeway leading into Carentan. During the night, the 3rd Battalion had infiltrated across the last 4 hotly-contested bridges. At about 0530, the Battalion came under heavy German automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire, causing casualties at an alarming rate and making the 3rd Battalion's position extremely precarious. Rather than withdraw, the Battalion Commander, LTC Robert G. Cole, issued an order to assault the German position with fixed bayonets. MAJ Stopka, from his position across the road from LTC Cole, was able to coordinate the efforts of the 2 companies in the assault, but only by exposing himself continuously to the heavy German fire. Ignoring his own safety, MAJ Stopka disseminated the order to the 2 companies under his control. When the signal for the assault was given, MAJ Stopka was the first man to get to his feet and move forward across the road into the open field in front of the enemy positions. MAJ Stopka's bravery and leadership set an example for the officers and men under him., inspiring them with the aggressiveness and determination necessary to rout the Germans from their strongly held positions. MAJ Stopka’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

[LTC Robert G. Cole (Honoree Record ID 13380), 3rd Battalion Commander, was killed in action on 18 September 1944, at Best, Netherlands. Following his death, Stopka was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and took command of the 3rd Battalion. LTC Cole posthumously received the Medal of Honor.]

On 14 January 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, 3rd Battalion Commander, LTC John Stopka and some of his troopers were advancing along an elevated rail line through the forest near Michamps, Belgium, when German tanks began advancing along the other side. American air support was called in but the planes strafed too close to the friendly positions, killing LTC Stopka and 30 other paratroopers. With that unfortunate incident, command of the 3rd Battalion was passed a 3rd time and given to Major Cecil L. Simmons, who had started with the Battalion as a Lieutenant at Fort Benning, GA.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)
Croix de Guerre with Palm (Belgium)
Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge with 2 Combat Jump Stars

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major John P. Stopka (ASN: 0-25263), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 502d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 June 1944, near Carentan, France. On that date Major Stopka's battalion was engaged in a fierce battle with a numerically superior enemy force for the possession of a causeway leading into Carentan. During the night, the battalion had infiltrated across the last four hotly contested bridges. At about 0530 the battalion came under heavy enemy automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire, causing casualties at an alarming rate and making the battalion position extremely precarious. Rather than withdraw, the battalion commander issued an order to assault the enemy position with fixed bayonets. Major Stopka, from his position across the road from the battalion commander, was able to coordinate the efforts of the two companies in the assault, but only by exposing himself continuously to the heavy enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Major Stopka disseminated the order to the two companies under his control. When the signal for the assault was given, he was the first man to get to his feet and move forward across the road into the open field in front of the enemy positions. Major Stopka's actions in the face of the enemy, and his complete devotion to duty exemplify leadership of the highest order and his conduct set an example to the officers and men under him., inspiring them with the aggressiveness and determination necessary to rout the enemy from their strongly held positions. Major Stopka's gallant leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 107 (1944)

Burial

Lieutenant Colonel John P. Stopka is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, Canton de Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg in Plot E, Row 9, Grave 38.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56063636/john-p-stopka