U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS Douglas Cooper   Douglas Cooper of Ellsworth began his service in World War II as a tank driver in the 2nd Armored Division, nicknamed “Hell on Wheels,” by Gen. George S. Patton Jr. “I was 15 when I went in,” Cooper said. “I lied about my age. I was a good-sized kid.” Cooper’s military career got off to an eventful start. “I got in the wrong line,” he said. “I thought I was going in the Navy.” Eventually, though, he did wind up driving a tank.  Cooper enlisted in 1942, serving in several battles, starting in Africa under Gen. Patton.  While on training maneuvers in Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas and the Carolinas in 1941, Patton reportedly said the 2nd Armored Division would be “Hell on Wheels” when it met the enemy, according to a history of the division at www.globalsecurity.org.  The label stuck and became part of the division patch. For his part, Cooper drove a Sherman M4 tank with a 75 mm gun attached. “The Germans always had a better gun than we did,” he said. “Our Sherman tanks weren’t worth a damn if we got hit by a Tiger Royal.” Tiger Royal refers to the German tanks.  Eventually, Cooper fought in battles in Sicily and Salerno.  Cooper, who would go on to become a tank commander, was honored with several awards for his service.  Cooper was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. He was also at D-Day. The government also awarded Cooper a Silver Star, which is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force. Cooper was awarded several battle stars.  As a young soldier, Cooper did not worry about whether he would return home safely. “I never thought about that too much,” he said. “You were ordered to do a job and you did it.” “War is hell,” Cooper said. Cooper was honorably discharged in December of 1945 as a tech sergeant.  After the war, Cooper attended Cornell University on the GI bill for a couple years. “I was always a restless man, I always wondered what was on the other side of the hill,” he said. The New Jersey native sold encyclopedias then worked in advertising and sales promotions. “I showed these guys how to make a buck in the advertising game,” Cooper said. Cooper worked all over the country. He is a father and grandfather. He turns 80 on June 22. — Jennifer Osborn