Warriors in their Own Words

Remarkable stories of war told by the men who fought for a proud nation. Their words. Their voices. Our first episodes tell riveting stories from World War II, then we move on to the Vietnam War and other dramatic conflicts.

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James E.T. Hopkins: WWII Combat Surgeon in Merrill’s Marauders

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James E.T. Hopkins: WWII Combat Surgeon in Merrill’s Marauders

James E.T Hopkins was a surgical intern before he volunteered with the Army Medical Corps. After serving in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, Hopkins volunteered again for what would eventually be known as Merrill’s Marauders.

Merrill’s Marauders fought primarily in the jungles of Burma, executing deep penetration missions behind enemy lines. The 1962 film Merrill’s Marauders is based on their experiences.

As a combat surgeon, Hopkins was unarmed on the battlefield, and completely exposed as he treated the wounds of fellow Marauders.

To hear more stories about the Marauders, listen to our interview with Col. Logan. E. Weston, nicknamed The Fightin’ Preacher.

To learn more about Hopkins, click here.

Transcript

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