Carl W. Hoffman

Carl William Hoffman (December 24, 1919 – May 31, 2016) was a decorated United States Marine Corps major general. He is most noted for his service with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines during World War II or later as commanding general of III Marine Amphibious Force during Operation Frequent Wind.

Early life Carl W. Hoffman was born on December 24, 1919, in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He won a nationwide trumpet competition and was awarded a scholarship to the Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where earned Bachelor of Arts degree in Music in summer 1941. While at the university, he enlisted the Marine Corps Reserve via Platoon leaders Class at Officer Candidates School on May 18, 1940, and took part in summer training camps in 1940 and 1941.

Following the battle, Eight Marines were ordered to Hawaii for rest and refit. Hoffman was subsequently transferred to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines and appointed Commander of Company G. He spent next six month with training and integration of replacements into the regiment.

During the June 1944, units of 2nd Marine Division sailed to for the new target, Saipan in the Marianas. Hoffman landed with his company on the right flank of the division on June 15, Captain Hoffman braved intense artillery and mortar fire to reorganize his men for their assault on enemy beach positions and for securing contact with the unit on his right. At dawn of the following day, he resumed the attack and personally directing the company in the face of hostile fire. He was slightly wounded and received the Silver Star for gallantry in action.

Hoffman returned to the United States during September 1944 and was ordered to the instruction at Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia which he completed in the spring of 1945. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of major and appointed instructor at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico.

The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and Vietcong, launched Tet Offensive few days after and Hoffman had full hands of work. He was also assigned for temporary additional duty to the staff of III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) as Operations Officer (G-3) on March 1 and now held dual command. While in this capacity, Hoffman was tasked by Lieutenant General Robert E. Cushman, commanding general of III MAF, to undertake a broad-based study to estimate the future requirements for the defense of northern I Corps Tactical Zone, South Vietnam.

Hoffman served in this capacity for next two years and following the promotion to the rank of major general in May 1971, he assumed duty as commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. In this capacity, he was responsible for the Recruit Training of new marines, who could later serve as replacements for the units serving overseas. Hoffman received the Legion of Merit for his service at Parris Island in the later phase of the Vietnam War.

Major General Carl W. Hoffman died on May 31, 2016, in Escondido, California, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, together with his wife, Ruth Allene Hoffman. They had three children: Jill Ann Schwenk, wife of Brigadier General James R. Schwenk; Carl W. Hoffman Jr., who served in the Marines and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel and John David Hoffman, Computer Systems Administrator.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Carl W. Hoffman: