George Adam Hofmann

Military
media-41963.jpeg UPL 41963 1st LT George Hofmann - the man and his machine.

Removed associations not depicted in the image.

Object Number - UPL 41963 - 1st LT George Hofmann - the man and his machine.

George was born at home at 850 Columbus Avenue in New York City on September 28, 1917. At that time his father, John, worked for the railroad and eventually became a chauffer. His mother was busy at home raising three other children. George had the pleasure of growing up in the big city during the roaring twenties. Unfortunately, he also felt the pain of the stock market crash and the start of the Great Depression in 1927 when he was twelve.



With the United States not yet involved in the storm that was brewing in Europe and Asia, motivated in part by their patriotic spirit and youthful invincibility, but also to have some say over where they ended up, in January of 1941 cousin Gilbert Rauh and best friend Mike Iriate enlisted. George who had registered with the draft on August 16, 1940 as required by law and was rated 1-A by April of 1941 followed in their footsteps, enlisting on May 15, 1941.



My father's story follows their footsteps through the stresses of World War II - from basic training, rank promotions, assigment to the Army Air Force Academy as cadets, following each other through Bombardier School, shipping out to overseas assignments. It is an extraordinary story - but sadly it is not a happy one. Three good friends went to war - only one returned - a beaten POW who carried the losses of his friends in his heart until the day he died in 1996.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96191) nicknamed "The Milk Run Special" of the 397th Bomb Group at Steeple Morden, 1945. Image by Alexander "Cal" Sloan. Written on slide casing: '296191, 397 BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17030006 / O-731561
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bomber pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14102842 / O-805432
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Captain

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Revisions

Date
ContributorAllan
Changes
Sources

This material is taken from the book, Who Would Have Known, compiled and published on-line by Allan M. Hofmann in 2012.
[https://ahofmann531.wixsite.com/family-veterans]

Date
ContributorAllan
Changes
Sources

This material is taken from the book, Who Would Have Known, compiled and published on-line by Allan M. Hofmann in 2012.

George Adam Hofmann: Gallery (1 items)