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
Model McDonnell F-101B Voodoo Length 67.39 ft | 20.54 m Width 39.67 ft | 12.09 m Height 18.01 ft | 5.49 m Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whitney J57-P-55 turbojet engines with afterburn generating 14,880lbs of thrust. Empty Weight 28,971 lbs | 13,141 kg MTOW 52,399 lbs | 23,768 kg Max Speed 1,221 mph | 1,965 km/h | 1,061 kts Max Range 1,550 miles | 2,494 km Ceiling 54,806 ft | 16,705 m | 10.4 miles Climb Rate 36,500 ft/min (11,133 m/min) Hardpoints 6 Armament Mission-specific weapons may include the following:
2 x MB-1 Genie air-to-air missiles (nuclear-tipped). 4 x Falcon air-to-air missiles OR 6 x Falcon air-to-air missiles. Accommodations 1
Major Variants
* XF-88 - Prototype Interceptor Model designation on which the F-101 is based on. * F-101A - Single-Seat Base Production Model * F-101B - Two-Seat All-Weather Interceptor Model. * F-101C * RF-101A - Reconnaissance Conversion Models