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Donald Kahl Hoffman

PFC Donald K. Hoffman served with Dog Company, First Battalion, 4th Marines.
He was killed in action at Corregidor on 6 May 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 281459

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains not recovered.

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

January 5, 1921
at Denver, CO

Parents

Charles Oliver Hoffman (d. 1939)
Martha E. (Kahl) Hoffman

Education

Franklin High School

Occupation & Employer

Details unknown

Service Life

Entered Service

January 17, 1940
at Los Angeles, CA

Home Of Record

6131 Mesa Avenue
Los Angeles, CA

Next Of Kin

Mother, Mrs. Martha E. Hoffman

Military Specialty

Primary Unit

D/1/4th Marines

Campaigns Served

Philippine Islands / Corregidor

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

PFC Donald Hoffman, a pre-war China Marine served with Company D, 4th Marines during the defense of the Philippine Islands. He participated in the siege of Corregidor, manning defensive positions near Monkey Point.

On the night of 5 May 1942, Japanese forces landed on the island. After a fierce fight, the  overwhelmed garrison capitulated at 1200 hours on 6 May. PFC Hoffman was among those killed in the final defense of the island; no specifics of his fate are currently known.

Burial Information or Disposition

PFC Hoffman’s body was seen on the battlefield, which served to confirm his death in action. However, no details pertaining to a burial were recorded.

These witness statements, collected at Cabanatuan POW camp, were damaged during the war. Philippine Archives Collection.

Next Of Kin Address

Address of mother, Mrs. Martha Hoffman.

Location Of Loss

Hoffman was last seen at an unspecified location on Corregidor.

Related Profiles

Members of the 4th Marines lost at Corregidor, 6 May 1942.
First Battalion
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