Hoffman William Henry

Name:

William Henry Hoffman

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-698290

Unit:

601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-05-24

State:

California

Cemetery:

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay Township, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA

Plot:

Section 84

Row:

Grave:

Site 47-49

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

William Henry Hoffman was born on February 12, 1922, in Bakersfield, Kern County, California. He was the son of Joseph Peter Hoffman and Glenadda Friend Hoffman. He enlisted in the service on August 3, 1942. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of B-17 #42-107132 during World War II.

On May 24, 1944, during a bombing mission targeting Berlin, Germany, the aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft. The aircraft crashed near Biesenthal, approximately nine miles southwest of Eberswalde, Germany. Seven crew members were killed in action, while three survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

2Lt Hoffman was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay Township, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. William H. Hoffman's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 21, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information:www.americanairmuseum.com, B-17flyingfortress.de, www.398th.org