Melting the Ice Road

About the Book

This story deals with a succession of events in the evolution of an intelligence operative from his recruitment, training and final insertion into a host or target country. It monitors a candidate from the lowest beginning in the military to the final end product, a well-trained espionage operative. It is an account of the tedious and exhaustive, yet routine, attention to detail and the leaving of a minimum to chance in the making or breaking of an operative. It delves into the practice of espionage at the grass-roots level, the day-today activities of the intelligence operative in-place and functioning.

The world powers are currently thinking in terms of ten to twenty year assignments for their intelligence gathering people -- ergo, a flawless command of one or more foreign languages, the possession of extensive background information and a primary marketable skill are mandatory. Previously it was generally accepted by members of American Military Intelligence that the training for an operative required not less than two years

before that operative arrived in-country. It was likewise believed that in-country seasoning of cover required, at a minimum, an additional two years before the operative

could become operational. Based on world-wide trends and practices these estimates have been drastically and realistically revised upward.

Melting the Ice Road James Prentiss Hooper

About the Author

I was born June 30,1925 in Walthall, Mississippi, the son of James Franklin and Ozie Swindoll Hooper.

I was the youngest of three sons and attended “Drew High School” in Drew, Mississippi.

I put high school education on hold to enlist in the United States Navy in 1943.

I served with distinction from 1943 to 1946 and was promoted to “Boatswain Mate” during the battle of Okinawa.

Following the war I attended the University of Mississippi from 1948 to 1952 -graduating with a “Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and with a master of Science Degree in Pharmacology.”

I was commissioned a “Second Lieutenant” through the Army R.O.T.C. in 1951 at the University of Mississippi and I spent three years in the Army of occupation in Germany - following my return to the United States I served over five years as a chemist in the Fifth Army Area Laboratory in St. Louis, MO. and was promoted to major in June, 1964.  

I attended the Department of Defense Language Institute graduating as a Mandarin Chinese Linguist and was the Chinese interpreter for the Army Surgeon General. I was inserted under deep cover where I engaged in intensive

clandestine activities to include intelligence instructions in spoken Nepalese.

Posing as a tourist I traveled between Hong Kong, Thailand, Laos, India and Nepal.

While traveling in northern India I requested and was granted an audience with the “Dalai Lama of Tibet”. The audience was granted.

I informed “His Holiness” that I was desirous of working with the Tibetan Refugees of India and Nepal.

He gave me his blessings by placing a “Prayer Scarf around my neck.

My cover was compromised and I was hastily withdrawn from the theater.

Much of my record is unavailable due to classification from my deep cover service.

Upon returning to the continental United States I was ordered to Gorgas Hospital in the Canal Zone.

I was the “Bio-chemist” for Gorgas Hospital in the Canal Zone and the Toxicologist for the Canal Zone Government.

I retired from the army August 14,1970.

By direction of the President of the “Ole Miss” Army R.O.T.C. Alumni Board, Lieutenant Colonel ® James P. Hooper, class of 1951, is hereby inducted into the Rebel Battalion Hall of Fame. His selection to the Hall of Fame is in recognition of his exceptionally meritorious military service and achievements.

Lieutenant Colonel Hooper’s superior service to the United States of America brings great credit upon himself, his country, the University of Mississippi and the “Ole Miss” Rebel Battalion.