William S. Hooper Jr. was born on June 30, 1924, in Jacksonville. He served in the 782nd Bomber Squadron, 465th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Engineer of B-24 #44-41011, nicknamed "Fast Number" during World War II.

On August 3, 1944, the 'Fast Number' took off from Pantanella Airfield in Cerignola, Italy, on a mission to bomb the steel plant at Friedrichshafen, Germany. After completing the bombing run, the aircraft was attacked by German fighters during the return flight over Tyrol, Austria. Fast Number was struck by 20mm cannon fire from a Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 flown by an unknown pilot of Jagdgeschwader 3, causing catastrophic damage. The bomber exploded in mid-air, killing several crew members instantly, and the others managed to bail out and were captured, becoming prisoners of war.

TSgt Hooper successfully bailed out of the aircraft, was captured, and was held as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow, Pomerania. He died on March 25, 2005, and is now buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, aad.archives.gov, 465th.org