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Ultimate Recognition

Army Vet, Formerly Of Jamestown, Interred At Arlington

The casket of Maj. Michael Lopriore, U.S. Army retired, approaches its final resting spot at Arlington National Cemetery as two Huey (UH-1) helicopters fly overhead. The Huey was Lopriore’s primary aircraft during his service tours in Vietnam. Submitted photo

ARLINGTON, Va. — A former Jamestown man and U.S. Army veteran was recently laid to rest alongside his fellow servicemen at Arlington National Cemetery.

Maj. Michael Lopriore, who died in September in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., was interred at his final resting site with full military honors on Jan. 23, with many family members from the Jamestown area in attendance.

Lopriore was born in Anagni, Italy, on Feb. 26, 1938, the son of Vincenzo and Palmira (Latini) Lopriore. In 1953 he relocated to the U.S. with his family, settling in Jamestown.

He played soccer for Jamestown’s semi-pro team in the mid-1950s, and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1957. During this time Lopriore, along with his two younger brothers, Dominic and Anthony, announced on WJOC’s “Italian Hour” program, which they did until 1961. He was also an active member of the Jamestown Boys Club.

Following his graduation, Lopriore enlisted in the U.S. Army and fulfilled seven years of enlisted service. He then applied to and was accepted for Army Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned a lieutenant in 1964. His army career led him initially to helicopter pilot training. Upon completion, he went on to serve his first tour of duty as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

A photograph taken by a French journalist during the Vietnam War. It depicts Lopriore’s helicopter being transported by ferry. The journalist who took the photo mailed it to Lopriore after researching the helicopter’s tail number.

Fixed wing pilot training followed, and preceded his second tour in Vietnam as a forward air controller. Mission demands returned him to helicopter pilot status for the remainder of his tour. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Park College in Missouri before his assignment to Redstone Arsenal, Ala., as chief of flight operations.

Lopriore was a highly decorated pilot and officer of the U.S. Army. Throughout his career he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, 25 Air Medals and Army Commendation Medals.

He was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots’ Association in Florida. He made the transition to civilian life as a travel agent with Christopher Travel in Huntsville, Ala., allowing him to continue his love of travel.

As an avid soccer fan, he continued his playing career with a U.S. Army divisional team in Germany. Upon his retirement, he began officiating elementary, high school and college soccer games.

According to his brother, Anthony, the day of Lopriore’s interment at Arlington was a serendipitous one.

Lopriore is pictured during flight training.

“It was an amazing day at Arlington National Cemetery; sometimes providence plays an important role in our lives,” Anthony Lopriore said. “(My brother) was a Huey (UH-1) helicopter pilot. That is the aircraft he flew for the most part in Vietnam. His major military decorations came from flying that aircraft.”

“As the caisson carrying his casket approached his final resting site two Huey helicopters flew overhead,” he continued. “At the end of the ceremony one single Huey flew overhead and disappeared into the horizon.

“It was an eerie experience for all of us in attendance. It was not planned by us or the U.S. Army.”

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