HOPPEL, WM. CLARK Aug 26, 1943 age 22 DNB Ontario

WILLIAM CLARK HOPPEL  b. June 28, 1921 d. Aug 26, 1943 Died Non Battle

Rodney, Ontario, Canada

2^nd Lt O-670391 Air Corps

Buried: unknown

Margaret Schloff

August Herman 1911

Parents: August Herman & Margaret Grace (Schloff)

Siblings: Jean Ellen (Biddinger), Lloyd August

Father August came from a large family in Bair, Cambria Co., Penn. He graduated from University of Michigan in 1911 as a dentist. Mother Margaret Grace was born in Buffalo; the two married in 1917, he was 11 years her senior.  Over the years the dental practice occupied various sites along Grand River Avenue near downtown. By 1940 the family lived in one of the premier properties at 18843 Bretton Dr.,in Rosedale Park, even had a live in servant. But by 1942 the family rented a more modest house at 16196 Oakfield, then 16903 Monte Vista.

18843 Bretton Dr.

William, also known as Clark, graduated from Redford in June 1939. He did his draft registration in Missaukee Co, but in 1942 enlisted in Detroit as a Pvt in the Air Corps.  Oddly his father submitted his own required draft registration in 1942 in Oscoda Michigan. Was there some advantage to be had registering in the northern hinterlands as opposed to the place of residence?

William took his preliminary and basic training at Kelley and Bonham fields in Texas. Then he received his commission after completing an advanced flying course at Moose field in Texas.

On Aug 26, 1943 he started flight from Romulus Air Base in Michigan where he was stationed (now this is Detroit Metropolitan Airport). Over near Rodney, Ontario, at 5 o’clock Mrs. Colquhoun was on her farm when she saw a flight of planes flying westward overhead. She noticed one drop away from the rest. A wing tipped and it roared earthward. He thought was that the plane was going to crash into her home, but it landed 200 feet away with a terrific crash. It went nose first into the ground then turning over.

Mr Colquhoun raced from his barn to the side of the plane. Three neighboring farm boys leaped into an automobile and sped to the fallen aircraft. When they reached the plane flames were roaring about the fuselage. In spite of the intense heat and extreme danger the climbed up and dragged the pilot’s body from the cockpit. They were so swift in their actions that flames had only slightly burned the body about the hips. Only when the flier was laid on the ground did they discover he was already dead. The three boys were commended for their heroic actions.

The plane was  an AT6 s/n 43-12773. William was the only occupant.