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SHARKHUNTERS
Salutes Veterans
HARRY COOPER (1-LIFE-1983)
Founder and President of
Sharkhunters International
HARRY has had one of the most diversified backgrounds of anyone we have
ever met.
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United States Air
Force
HARRY joined the Air Force right out of high school with
aspirations of being a fighter pilot, a lifelong dream of his. He
was disappointed to learn that there was more to being a fighter pilot
than just wanting it - unlike the war years, one now needed to be 21
years of age to be an officer so that was put on the back burner.
He spent six months in intensive training in weapons and demolition
learning all the Air Force weapons from the .38 caliber aluminum pistol
the pilots carried to the massive 'special weapons' - hydrogen
bombs.
He was happy that his first duty assignment was at Chanute AFB, only 100
miles from his home. It turned out that this was a training base
and there was no need for a weapons and demolition specialist - so he
ended up as life guard at the base swimming pool. It was nice duty
- one day on and one day off, but when winter set in and the pool closed
for the season, he insisted on a proper assignment.
He was sent to a Strategic Air Command base in the Midwest and commanded
a six-man team loading 'special weapons' (hydrogen bombs) onto B-47 bombers
during the 'cold war'.
Just prior to his 21st birthday, he sat for the very difficult two days
of tests to qualify for Officer Candidate School. He was the only
one of the thirty men tested to pass, and his scores were perfect in
some phases and nearly perfect in others. He had an OCS class assigned.
In the meantime, he had a pilot's physical done at the base hospital -
everything was perfect. He was on his way to his lifelong dream of
being a fighter pilot. But it was not to be! As he was about
to re-enlist for the required six more years, his career counselor told him
that the Air Force had so many pilots left over from the Second World
War and Korea that Air Cadets was shut down. He could be an
officer, but he would never be a pilot.
Sadly, he put down his pen, did not re-enlist, and when his hitch was
finished, he left the AF |
And
CLICK HERE for a very special Memorial Day
Memory.
After college, HARRY went into the
business world where he climbed the corporate ladder at various companies
ultimately to the position of Regional Vice President of a fairly large company.
During this time, he was also a professional racing driver - first drag racing
where he set a number of national records then to 'Figure 8' racing, to short
track stock car racing and finally to spending Sunday afternoons at 190 mph on
the superspeedways. During this time he was also a Feature Editor for
Stock Car Racing Magazine, had a monthly column in Australian Speedway News and
an American racing magazine that is now out of business. He also was
Technical Editor for the Magalog of J. C. Whitney automotive company and did
how-to and technical articles for that publication.
For a short time, he was a newscaster on a Chicago television show
called 'Motorsports
International' where he did the news from the various Chicago area stock
car tracks. He also published a book entitled 'Sponsorship'
which showed aspiring racers how to approach their potential sponsors for the
money necessary to race.
HARRY is a LIFE
Member of the prestigious Adventurer's Club in Chicago, a very exclusive
organization that is open only to people who have "left the beaten path"
and made for adventure.
After "Hanging Up His Helmet"
HARRY sold everything, bought a 30 foot sailing yacht and went to live in
the Bahamas. It was to change his life and in fact, would change the way
the world viewed the men of the U-Bootwaffe because it was here, thanks to some
rumors passed on by local inhabitants about U-Boats that planted the seeds that
became
the international U-Boat historical organization known as Sharkhunters.
(Above) Brand new in late 1979 and ready to go.
(Right) Sailing peacefully in the Bahamas.
It was during his years living in the Bahamas that HARRY became
interested in
the true and honest history of the U-Bootwaffe. The seeds of
what would soon
be the world's largest and only official site of U-Boat history were
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In February 1987, Sharkhunters organized the first of what was to become
fantastic annual "Patrols".
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(l) KAYCEE COOPER (161-1986)
and HARRY COOPER
(r) HARRY COOPER and the Today Show film crew |
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COOPER is 6th from the left at Atlantis Dive Shop
owned by Captain
SPENCER SLATE 1657-1990). |
In 1995
HARRY joined another branch:
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United States Coast
Guard (Aux.)
HARRY began as the FPO (Flotilla Publications Officer). He
soon became the District PO. When the need arose in his Flotilla,
HARRY became the Vice Flotilla Commander.
After a year or so, HARRY transferred to another Flotilla and
became the Flotilla Commander with two rings on his sleeve, the same as
a full Lieutenant. |
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CLICK ON THESE
SCENES TO WATCH COOPER ON FILM
SCENE #1
SCENE #2
SCENE #3
Listen to COOPER on the
JEFF RENSE Radio Show.
Click on any of these race car photos to listen to COOPER on the RENSE
Radio Show. The dates of each radio show appears below the race car.
Click on the picture, listen and enjoy - JEFF RENSE hosts a great radio program.
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| 17 January 2013 |
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30 January 2013 |
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15 February 2013 |
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19 April 2013 |
Why race car photos? Don't really know,
except we had to come up with some kind of photos and since COOPER had
his old album of when he was racing on the desk - we just grabbed three photos.
The "Flying Wooden Shoe" on the other hand, has a lot to do with
the radio program of 19 April 2013. Click, listen and enjoy.
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At the Sharkhunters 2000 "Patrol in Paradise", HARRY
is 5th from the left. From the left is SEAN COOPER
(½-LIFE-1987); KARL-HEINZ WIEBE (226-1986);
IGOR KURDIN (6015-2000); LEV-DAVIDOVICH CHERNAVIN (4973-1996); HARRY
COOPER (A-LIFE-1983); RADM. JOSEPH PECK (4287-1995); Captain Cherkashin; VOLKMAR
KÖNIG (5428-1997); ERICH TOPP (118-1985);
SIEGFRIED KOITSCHKA (225-1986). Photo
taken at Kings Bay Submarine Base. |
Some of HARRY's other military or
quasi-military history includes:
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Commissar of the Soviet Union for
the Peace |
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to the Oceans Committee based
in Moscow. |
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Honorary Submarine Officer, Russian
Navy |
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- St. Petersburg Flotilla. |
HARRY was awarded the Admiral
Kuznetzev Medal for his International Humanitarian Service.
More of HARRY's history includes:
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HARRY is a Kentucky Colonel (Medal of Distinction above), was on
the General's Staff and received this award.
He was 'knighted'
as Knight of Landskron Castle where he swore to protect the castle 'with
sword and mace'. Let's hope it never comes to
that............... |
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BOOKS
In addition, HARRY has published many books.
Click on the book cover below for the description.
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Did Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun
really commit suicide? The
Soviets didn't believe it, neither did the FBI or the OSS. You
shouldn't believe this hoax either.
"Escape from the Bunker" proves that they escaped
"The Secret Alliance" tells how it was possible |
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.....in addition, HARRY serves on the Veteran's Advisory Board of the 5th
Congressional District.
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HARRY is listed in the
International
"Who's Who of World
Business Leaders" |
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.....and he is also
listed in the famous
"Who's Who in America" |
Awards conferred
in 2012 include
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This beautiful award, handsomely
matted and framed, confirms the LIFE Membership of HARRY COOPER
in the Adventurers Club. COOPER joined in 1978 and was a
regular member until this month and he is now Member 1521-LIFE-1978 |
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This 2nd award, just as
beautifully matted and framed, commemorates the presentation by HARRY
COOPER at the Adventurers Club on the topic of the escape of Adolf
Hitler and Eva Braun. The image in the background is that of
COOPER and his bloody arm after falling through the dock at the
abandoned nuclear research laboratory build in remote Argentina by
German scientists in 1947; two years AFTER the end of WW II! |
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Man of the Year 2011 |
The American Biographical
Institute has nominated HARRY COOPER for this honor. This
is from their letter dated 2 December 2011:
"I am delighted to announce your nomination
for the American Biographical Institute's prestigious honor, Man of the
Year 2011, for distinguished accomplishments in your field. The
Institute's International Board of Research decided on your nomination
after a careful global evaluation of individuals who have excelled in
their professions. The nomination conclusions were not only
selected from our biographical archives, but also through correspondence
with prominent businesses, media resources, universities and
organizations around the world.
It was a difficult decision to determine who would be among our men of
the year for 2011. You are our choice for this honor after
reviewing hundreds of achievements. My congratulations to you on
your selection. It will be my distinct privilege to recognize your
effectiveness within your profession."
It is signed by C. A. Mitchell; Governing Board of Editors |
Covington's Who's Who
On 8 August 2012, Covington's "Who's Who" accepted
HARRY COOPER to their ranks with the following statement:
"You were recently chosen as a potential candidate
to represent your professional community in the 2012 edition of Covington's
"Who's Who". We are pleased to inform you that your candidacy has been
formally approved. Congratulations! On behalf of our Committee, I
salute your achievement and look forward to welcoming you to our association.
To much success!"
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of
Redipuglia, Italy we visited the battlefield where young Erwin Rommel
earned his Pour l'Merit (the Blue Max).
Our group was formally received by the Mayor
and he presented this beautiful medal to HARRY. Only 250 of these
medals have been made in bronze and this is one of them.