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Lewis A. Hopper.

Lewis Anderson Hopper was born and raised in the Rockport area and attended the Rockport School system for most, if not all, of his primary and secondary education. His old homeplace is just West of where Western Elementary stands today. He had a short bus ride to the Rockport High School. If my memory serves me, Lewis is the second oldest of a very large family. In the past few Rockport Reunions, this Hopper family really turned out. I think most of the siblings were in attendance at the 2018, 2016, and the 2014 Rockport High School Reunions. The family filled more than one table. I am not aware of the exact number of the Hopper siblings, although I think I could name them, but may leave one out, so will let it be. Most if not all attended the Rockport School system. I don't think that Lewis started the first grade at Rockport, but most of his formal learning was at Rockport. Before Lewis was to graduate from Rockport High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy.

Lewis Hopper joined the Navy in 1953 and was sent to the United States Naval Training center, Port Deposit, at Bainbridge, Maryland. This basic training center, "Boot Camp", was located on the bluffs of the Susquehanna River in Bainbridge, Maryland and was active from 1942-1976. After the completion of his Naval Basic Training, Lewis was sent to Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida and was assigned to the USS Boston CAG-1. This ship had just been converted to a Guided Missile Cruiser and Lewis and crew felt like they were assigned to a new ship. The USS Boston was not recommissioned for service during the Korean War as were 10 others of her sister ships, but was earmarked for conversion to carry guided missiles and was reclassified CAG-1 on 4 January 1952. In February 1952 she was towed from Bremerton, Washington, to Philadelphia for conversion to a guided missile heavy cruiser by New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. During conversion her aft 8 inch turret was replaced with anti-aircraft missile launchers and she was otherwise modernized. Boston was recommissioned 1 November 1955 as the lead ship of her class and operated along the east coast and in the Caribbean conducting missile evaluations and participating in fleet exercises until departing for the Mediterranean 23 November 1956. She returned in May 1957. Lewis served his country honorably for his tour of duty and was discharged in 1957.

After being honorably discharged, Lewis settled in Quarryville, Pennsylvania.

Thanks Lewis, for your service to the our country.