BARRY W. HOOPER, LT, USN
Barry Hooper '64
Lucky Bag
From the 1964 Lucky Bag:
BARRY WAYNE HOOPER
Redondo Beach, California
Hoops
22nd Company
A native of California, Barry entered the Academy via NAPS and has entertained his classmates and the Brigade with his physical and mental contortions ever since then. Famous Plebe year for his interpretations of historical facts, Barry, then as now, had very little difficulty finding loopholes in the "system". However, too often, the Executive Department stepped in to close those loopholes. Academics frequently proved difficult with Bull predominately red on his grade chart. During his four years as a midshipman, Hoops developed into an adept gymnast and he astounded his fellows by putting this ability to use beneath the Limbo bar. Destined to become a Naval Aviator, Barry will definitely enliven any wardroom in which he takes his seat.
BARRY WAYNE HOOPER
Redondo Beach, California
Hoops
22nd Company
A native of California, Barry entered the Academy via NAPS and has entertained his classmates and the Brigade with his physical and mental contortions ever since then. Famous Plebe year for his interpretations of historical facts, Barry, then as now, had very little difficulty finding loopholes in the "system". However, too often, the Executive Department stepped in to close those loopholes. Academics frequently proved difficult with Bull predominately red on his grade chart. During his four years as a midshipman, Hoops developed into an adept gymnast and he astounded his fellows by putting this ability to use beneath the Limbo bar. Destined to become a Naval Aviator, Barry will definitely enliven any wardroom in which he takes his seat.
Loss
Barry died on March 5, 1968 of wounds received when his river patrol boat was struck by enemy shells in South Vietnam. He had been serving with River Division 55 as a convoy commander for Dong Ha River Security Group. Death took place in a military hospital at Dong Ha.
Other Information
From the June 1968 issue of Shipmate:
Lt. Hooper was born in Lynn, Mass. Following graduation from Redondo Union High School he enlisted in the Navy, then received an appointment to the Naval Academy. He was graduated from the Academy in 1964, where he was a member of the gymnastics team. He served in USS BRADLEY and the WILSON, and had arrived in Vietnam for his third tour of duty only IS days before he was killed. According to the commanding officer of River Division 55, he had distinguished himself under intense enemy fire on prior occasions and in one action had rescued several men from drowning. He had been awarded the Purple Heart.
A Lt. B. W. Hooper Memorial Scholarship in science and related fields has been established in his honor at Redondo Union High School.
Survivors include his father, Mr. John H. Hooper, 115 Springview Drive, Lynn, Ma. 01904; his mother, Mrs. Clifford Price of 616 North Maria Ave., Redondo Beach, Ca. 90277; a brother, Steven D. Price, also of Redondo Beach, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Menier of Lynn.
From Find A Grave:
On March 5, 1968 Lieutenant Barry W. Hooper, USN of River Division 55 was killed in action while serving as a convoy commander assigned to Task Force CLEARWATER.
LT Hooper’s convoy, composed of 5 LCUs and 3 LCM-8 logistical craft, 2 LCM-6 minesweepers, 2 armed LCPL patrol craft and 2 U.S. Marine Corps armed helicopters, departed Cua Viet bound for Dong Ha to deliver vital cargo to beleaguered free world forces.
As the convoy approached the mouth of the Hien Giang River it was ambushed by Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces who were entrenched in heavily fortified bunkers along both banks of the river.
The enemy rained a deadly hail of crossfire from heavy automatic weapons, small arms and recoilless rifles on the convoy.
LT Hooper reacted to the ambush in a swift, bold and decisive manner as he climbed to the conning area of the YFU64, on which he was embarked, and from an exposed position he effectively directed the convoy units in evading the enemy fire and returning accurate and suppressive fire at the enemy positions.
For 30 minutes the battle raged and as the last unit had cleared the ambush zone, YFU64 receives a direct hit in the conning area that mortally wounded LT Hooper.
As the result of his superb leadership, the convoy fought its way through to its destination with the supplies it carried.
Photographs
From the June 1968 issue of Shipmate.
Remembrances
From Wall of Faces:
Redondo Union High School Class of 1959
Your classmates salute you and will not forget your sacrifice. YOUR CLASSMATES, VICKI.OLIVER@ATT.NET, 10/23/09
Related Articles
Thomas Holden '64 was also in 22nd Company.
Gerald Siebe '64 was also on the Gymnastics Team.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
