Originally from Missouri, Lieutenant Hofer was a successful former Golden Gloves boxer who grew up in Chicago. In 1942 he graduated from the Royal Canadian Air Force flying school. Shortly afterwards, he went to England. After flying fighters in Royal Air Force Operational Training Units, he was posted to the 4th Fighter Group in July 1943. Flight Officer Hofer flew his first combat mission on October 8, 1943 and shot down a ME 109. He scored ten aerial victories while still a Flight Officer. In June 1944 the 4th Group was part of the escort that took the bombers to Russia on a shuttle mission. After a few days in Russia the P-51s went down to Italy on their way back to England. While there, it was arranged that the 4th Fighter Group would fly a mission with the 15th Air Force. On July 2, 1944, the 4th escorted the bombers to Budapest. The pilots shot down many German planes that day, but when the pilots returned to Italy that afternoon, Hofer was missing. He had flown 72 combat missions and had just been promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
Additional information provided by Andy (48021049):
As an athlete and a 'Golden Gloves' boxer, he joined the RCAF in July 1941 and transfered to the USAAF in June 1943 and flew in the 334th FS, 4th FG. Kidd" was one of the top strafers in the 8th Air Force with 15 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. Hofer got his last air-to-air kill during a mission to Budapest, Hungary on May 28, 1944.
On July 2, 1944 he was killed in action, flying a P-51B while climbing to engage 20+ Me.109's near Budapest, Hungary. The wreckage of his Mustang and his body were later found at Mostar, Yugoslavia.
Additional information provided by Andy (48021049):
As an athlete and a 'Golden Gloves' boxer, he joined the RCAF in July 1941 and transfered to the USAAF in June 1943 and flew in the 334th FS, 4th FG. Kidd" was one of the top strafers in the 8th Air Force with 15 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. Hofer got his last air-to-air kill during a mission to Budapest, Hungary on May 28, 1944.
On July 2, 1944 he was killed in action, flying a P-51B while climbing to engage 20+ Me.109's near Budapest, Hungary. The wreckage of his Mustang and his body were later found at Mostar, Yugoslavia.
Originally from Missouri, Lieutenant Hofer was a successful former Golden Gloves boxer who grew up in Chicago. In 1942 he graduated from the Royal Canadian Air Force flying school. Shortly afterwards, he went to England. After flying fighters in Royal Air Force Operational Training Units, he was posted to the 4th Fighter Group in July 1943. Flight Officer Hofer flew his first combat mission on October 8, 1943 and shot down a ME 109. He scored ten aerial victories while still a Flight Officer. In June 1944 the 4th Group was part of the escort that took the bombers to Russia on a shuttle mission. After a few days in Russia the P-51s went down to Italy on their way back to England. While there, it was arranged that the 4th Fighter Group would fly a mission with the 15th Air Force. On July 2, 1944, the 4th escorted the bombers to Budapest. The pilots shot down many German planes that day, but when the pilots returned to Italy that afternoon, Hofer was missing. He had flown 72 combat missions and had just been promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
Additional information provided by Andy (48021049):
As an athlete and a 'Golden Gloves' boxer, he joined the RCAF in July 1941 and transfered to the USAAF in June 1943 and flew in the 334th FS, 4th FG. Kidd" was one of the top strafers in the 8th Air Force with 15 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. Hofer got his last air-to-air kill during a mission to Budapest, Hungary on May 28, 1944.
On July 2, 1944 he was killed in action, flying a P-51B while climbing to engage 20+ Me.109's near Budapest, Hungary. The wreckage of his Mustang and his body were later found at Mostar, Yugoslavia.
Additional information provided by Andy (48021049):
As an athlete and a 'Golden Gloves' boxer, he joined the RCAF in July 1941 and transfered to the USAAF in June 1943 and flew in the 334th FS, 4th FG. Kidd" was one of the top strafers in the 8th Air Force with 15 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. Hofer got his last air-to-air kill during a mission to Budapest, Hungary on May 28, 1944.
On July 2, 1944 he was killed in action, flying a P-51B while climbing to engage 20+ Me.109's near Budapest, Hungary. The wreckage of his Mustang and his body were later found at Mostar, Yugoslavia.
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