Ralph Kidd Hofer was born on June 22, 1921. Originally from Missouri, Lieutenant Hofer was a successful former Golden Gloves boxer who grew up in Chicago. In 1942 he graduated from the Royal Canadian Air Force flying school.

Ralph joined the RCAF in July 1941 and transferred to the USAAF in June 1943, and flew in the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group. He was one of the top strafers in the 8th Air Force with 15 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. Hofer got his last air-to-air kill during a mission to Budapest, Hungary, on May 28, 1944.

On July 2, 1944, he was killed in action, flying a P-51B "Salem Representative", while climbing to engage 20+ Me.109's near Budapest, Hungary. The wreckage of his Mustang and his body were later found at Mostar, Yugoslavia.

1Lt Hofer is now buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com