Albert Hoffman was a Catholic Priest and member of the Iowa National Guard, who was serving as assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque, Iowa, when his regiment was activated for service in 1941. After training at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, in 1942, his unit deployed to England for addition training, before going into combat during the November 1942 invasion of North Africa. Chaplain Hoffman served with his unit in North Africa, and received the Silver Star for his actions in 1942 to rescue a wounded German soldier. He then went with his unit during the invasions of Sicily and Italy. During the action that earned him the Distinguished Service Cross he stepped on a mine, requiring amputation of his leg. After being fitted for a prosthesis, he immediately volunteered to serve as chaplain in the amputation ward of an American hospital in London. After the war he returned home to Iowa to become the Dean of Lora’s College at Dubuque.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
133d Infantry RegimentDivision:
34th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
April 29, 1943
Headquarters, 34th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 28 (1943)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Albert John Hoffman, United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy while serving as a Chaplain with the 133d Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action to take Hill 609 in Tunisia, on 29 April 1943. Chaplain Hoffman’s battalion was ordered to take Hill 490, the smaller hill near Hill 609. One of the attacking soldiers in the leading element was hit by enemy fire. Two medics tried to reach him, but they could not because of the heavy enemy machine gun fire. Without regard for his own safety, Chaplain Hoffman got to his feet and calmly walked through a hail of machine gun bullets until he reached the wounded man, and then carried him back to a place of safety where his wounds could be treated. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
133d Infantry RegimentDivision:
34th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
November 4, 1943
Headquarters, FIFTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 40 (March 12, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Albert John Hoffman, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with as Chaplain with Headquarters, 133d Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 4 November 1943, near Santa Maria Olivetol, Italy. Disregarding the shelling he gave first aid and comfort to the wounded and administered last rites to the dying. During the action he was wounded about the face, yet he remained to direct he evacuation of casualties, constantly under heavy fire. For three hours he performed his hazardous task, and while attempting to remove the dead he was injured by an antipersonnel mine. His courageous actions were an inspiration to the men and exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.