Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
HOFMANN, Vernon Francis
Date of birth
28 October 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota
Hometown
Stearns County, Minnesota

Military service

Service number
37574387
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
563rd Bombardment Squadron,
388th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
7 April 1945
Place of death
Steinhuder Meer, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
A 36 34

Immediate family

Members
Frank X. Hofmann (father)
Gertrude M. (Ohmann) Hofmann (mother)
Joseph J. Hofmann (brother)
Helen G. Hofmann (sister)
Florence A. Hofmann (sister)
Monica A. Hofmann (sister)
Loyola M. Hofmann (sister)
Victor R. Hofmann (brother)
Clara F. Hofmann (sister)
Anthony A. Hofmann (brother)
Valerian C. Hofmann (brother)
Robert F. Hofmann (brother)
Patrick N. Hofmann (brother)
Jane A. Hofmann (sister)
Frank T. Hofmann (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38869
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Paula Sue
Destination: Kaltenkirchen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 13723

More information

Sgt Vernon F. Hofmann attended high school for 4 year. He enlisted at Fort Snelling, Minnesota on 30 July 1943.

The airplane was rammed by a ME-109, hitting it between the left wing and the tail. It immediately broke in half with the forward section of the plane nosing done in a flat spin and the tail section floating down. The B-17 disintegrated. Eye witnesses stated that the enemy plane was not firing as it came in and they believed that the pilot was dead.

The entire crew of ten was killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, 388bg.info