Roland Eugene Cooper

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on January 24, 2006:

Roland Eugene Cooper Born February 21, 1929 - Killed In Action October 26, 1952 Roland Eugene "Coop" Cooper was born in South Bend, Indiana on 21 February 1929 and was appointed to West Point by the President as a Son of a Deceased Veteran. His West Point classmates recall: "Known to his friends as the 'Hombre Peque?o,' Coop proved to be Co H-1's big man in intramural athletics. His competitive spirit and good nature won him many friends throughout the Corps. Always willing to help a goat, Coop coached many of his classmates through two years of Spanish. His persistence and genial personality will send him far on the road to success." During his cadet days Coop went out for Swimming and Track plebe year; was on the Pointer staff yearling year; with Bugle Notes yearling, cow, and first class year, serving as Editor; on the Howitzer staff cow and first class years; on Cross Country Team and with the Camera Club first class year; and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Coop went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia reported to Fort Hood in 1952 and then to the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division in Korea in late 1952. Coop was killed in action on 26 October 1952; he was a First Lieutenant at the time. He was decorated posthumously with the Silver Star for distinguished gallantry in action and the Purple Heart for wounds in action against an enemy. ufa

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