Ralph Neppel
1923-1987. Medal of Honor winner during 1944, represents the myriad men and women who have and currently serve in the nation’s armed forces in defense of the freedoms we share. Another representative is Roy Chopek, first Iowan to die in World War I, whose name the local American Legion post now bears. After losing both legs to a German tank blast, Sgt. Neppel continued to fight by crawling on his elbows. Never considering himself a hero, he came to Iowa City to work at Veterans Hospital, buying a home on five acres for his wife and four children.