James I. Hopkins, Jr.

James Iredell Hopkins Jr. (December 4, 1918 – lost at sea March 23, 1951) was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force and the operations officer of the 509th Composite Group during World War II. He is best known for signing Operations Order No. 35, the document authorizing the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and for piloting the photography aircraft Big Stink during the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

Hopkins disappeared on March 23, 1951, when the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II he was traveling in vanished over the Atlantic Ocean following a fire and successful ditching.

Early life Hopkins was born in Palestine, Texas, on December 4, 1918. He attended local schools before enlisting in the United States Army Air Forces. He married Catherine Mary Williamson in Anderson, Texas, on February 15, 1941. Hopkins attended Texas A&M University for three years before enrolling in the Aviation Cadet Training Program. His son, James K. Hopkins, later became a professor of history at Southern Methodist University.

Military career World War II Hopkins initially served in the North African campaign, where he completed 43 combat missions. Because of the delay and radio issues, Hopkins arrived at the target area after the detonation and missed photographing the initial blast.

Hopkins was promoted to lieutenant colonel on August 28, 1945, three weeks after the bombings. Japan formally surrendered the next week, ending the war.

Legacy On September 30, 2021, the 509th Bomb Wing held a memorial ceremony for Hopkins at Arlington National Cemetery. A cenotaph was dedicated in his honor.