John Hopper: U.S. Navy
JOHN HOPPER
Hopper was one of the military veterans honored at the monthly veterans breakfast held Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Clinton Community Center.
He was living in Chattanooga in 1974 when he enlisted in the Navy.
Hopper said that boot camp was one of the most memorable events of his Navy time. As most military veterans of whatever branch of service can attest to, boot camp has a way of tearing you down and building you back up again with a military frame of mind.
The first day started very early and was filled with many unexpected surprises. He fell into his bunk dog tired that night.
It seemed like he has just gone to sleep when he heard what was known as “garbage can Reveille.”
He was rudely awakened very early the next morning by the sound of a metal garbage can being kicked through the barracks.
Hopper said that boot camp makes you second guess yourself. He was always afraid of failing a weekly examination and being set back a week.
By Hopper’s second year in the Navy, he began to relax and enjoy his military experiences.
Hopper served on the aircraft carrier USS America (CV-66) as an aircraft mechanic. He made two Mediterranean cruises, hitting such ports as Naples and Barcelona. He also made a South American cruise, visiting Brazil. In addition, Hopper served at Naval air stations at Fallon, NV, and China Lake, CA.
In 1978, he was discharged as a second-class petty officer and returned to Chattanooga.
where he found employment as an inspector in a plant which manufactured coal burning boilers.