This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Hopkins, James Richard, Col USAF(Ret).
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel James Richard Hopkins (AFSN: 0-37029A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Commanding Officer, 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 29 June 1966. On that date, Colonel Hopkins was Mission Commander of a large strike force of F-105 Thunderchiefs tasked with destroying a large petroleum, oil, and lubricant storage area at Hanoi, North Vietnam. Despite adverse weather and the most intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire ever encountered over North Vietnam, including deadly surface-to-air missiles, he led his force in totally destroying this vital military target. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Colonel Hopkins reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications StatsCentral Model Northrop F-89D Scorpion Length 53.84 ft | 16.41 m Width 59.65 ft | 18.18 m Height 17.59 ft | 5.36 m Engine(s) 2 x Allison J-35-A-35 turbojet engines with afterburn generating 7,200lbs of thrust. Empty Weight 25,194 lbs | 11,428 kg MTOW 42,241 lbs | 19,160 kg Max Speed 636 mph | 1,024 km/h | 553 kts Max Range 2,600 miles | 4,184 km Ceiling 49,196 ft | 14,995 m | 9.3 miles Climb Rate 5,250 ft/min (1,600 m) Hardpoints 5 (including wing tip mounts) Armament 104 Mighty Mouse 2.75in air-to-surface rockets in wingtip launchers.
Optional:
3 x Falcon air-to-air missiles 27 x Mighty Mouse 70mm unguided rockets Accommodations 2
Major Variants
* F-89 - Base Model Series Designation * F-89D - Definitive Scorpion Model; most produced in the series; fitted with 104 Mighty Mouse 2.75in rockets on wingtip pod mounts; fitted with advanced APG-40 radar system and Hughes E-6 fire-control system. * F-89J - F-89D Converion Models with provision for AIR-2A Genie unguided nuclear air-to-air missile.
