Leo Joseph Hoffman Jr
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
History of the 68th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, researched and compiled by Webb C. Todd, available online at https://user.xmission.com/~44thbgva/68thsquadronhistory.pdf.
Object Number - UPL 30045 - Staff Sergeant Leo J. Hoffman, Jr., Left Waist Gunner, 68th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group (heavy) The Flying Eightballs. KIA 21 July 1944.
He entered the service on February 14, 1943. A high school graduate who attended A State Teacher’s College. An engineer gunner of a Liberator bomber Crew.He was presented with the Air Medal for ‘exceptional meritorious achievement while participating in bomber combat missions over occupied Europe”.
Served in the U.S. Army Theatre Group with the 68th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group.
Joined squad 2 June 1944. Damaged by flak on 21 July 1944 (Oberpfaffenhofen) and landed in Switzerland. Killed in Action (KIA) 21 July 1944 when chute failed to open. Pilot: Anderson, J. Plane was B-24 Mary Harriet #42110049.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-726429
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18134873
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16118695
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-707526
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-698564
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Mary Harriet
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Pathway
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, USA | 31 March 1924 | Lime Ridge,Pennsylvania |
|
Enlisted |
14 February 1943 | ||
|
Died |
Gonten, Switzerland | 21 July 1944 | His B-24 was shot up near Munich. They headed for Switzerland and bailed out. Apparently Leo’s parachute only partially opened and the locals found his body. The locals buried his body and told his crew members the following day. His death is listed as Gonten,Switzerland. |
|
Buried |
Elan Memorial Park Cemetery | 7 May 1948 | Originally buried in the Bern Cemetery, Gonten,Switzerland on July 21, 1944. May 7, 1948 his body was brought back to the United States aboard US Army Transport Lawrence Victory. Buried in Elan Cemetery, Lime Ridge, Pennsylvania. |
Revisions
Newspapers.com aticle
The Evening News
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
August 8, 1944
History of the 68th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, The Flying Eightballs, researched and compiled by Webb C. Todd, available online at https://user.xmission.com/~44thbgva/68thsquadronhistory.pdf.
44th Bomb Group Roll of Honor and Casualties, compiled by Will Lundy, originally published in 1987, updated and re-released in 2005, available online at http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg/lundyroh.pdf.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 7287 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Webb Todd/ MACR 7287
