3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

Story by Sgt. Alex Licea

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Paratrooper who died from injuries suffered in a vehicle rollover was honored during a memorial ceremony here, Nov 5.

Spc. Lukas Hopper, a 20 year old infantryman from Merced, Calif., was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He died after his vehicle rolled over during a mounted combat patrol Oct 30, just outside Baghdad. Hopper was serving his first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hooper was posthumously promoted to the rank of specialist.

Lt. Col. Dave Bair, the battalion commander, spoke about Hopper's devotion to duty and his passion for life.

"Though young, Lukas was a professional paratrooper with an insatiable internal drive," he said. "Whatever task was asked of him he wouldn't want to just complete it, he wanted to excel at it."

"Spc. Hopper had an infectious sense of humor that drew people to him," he added. "A successful life is not measured in years it is measured in triumphs, laughs and achievements. All of which Lukas had."

His fellow troopers remembered a young man who was reliable and would never quit regardless of the task at hand.

"If there was one person who I would entrust to have my back, it was him," said Spc. Jeffrey Kern, a close friend of Hopper. "If he wasn't sure about something he would not give up until he found the right answer. He was thorough and never left anything unfinished."

"I will miss him dearly and he will never be forgotten," he said.

Hopper enlisted in the Army in January 2008. He completed his one unit station training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge.

His is survived by his parents and his two younger sisters.

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