PFC John Wilson Hoffman, Jr.'s Obituary
PFC John Wilson Hoffman, Jr. was born July 23, 1922 to John Wilson and Sadie Hoffman of Houston, Texas. PFC John Hoffman Jr. was baptized into our Christian faith and salvation in April 1937 and was active in his church. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School and had been employed at the Lindy Air Products Company. PFC John Hoffman Jr. enlisted in the Marines on August 16, 1942 at the age of 20 and completed boot camp training in San Diego, California. PFC John Hoffman Jr. died in combat at the age of 21 in the Battle of Tarawa on November 23, 1943. At the time of his death, PFC John Hoffman, Jr. was survived by his parents and his siblings, Orval Lane Hoffman, Winnie (Hubert) Ingram, and Marie (Al) Emery.
PFC John Hoffman, Jr’s descendants are humbled to participate in his internment with military honors near his hometown of Houston, Texas at South Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Pearland, Texas in the burial site lovingly prepared by his parents. Present for the internment include his niece, Betty Lou Ingram (Dave) Halverson of Houston, TX; great nephews, Keith A Elliott and Kirk H (Debbie) Elliott, of Nashville, TN area; and Nilon H Elliott of Dallas, TX, surviving spouse of niece, Carolyn Ingram Elliott. Other relatives not able to attend the service today are grateful for this opportunity to honor his life and service.
The family of PFC John Hoffman Jr. wishes to thank the many military personnel, nonprofit organizations and volunteers dedicated to the mission of recovery and repatriation of soldiers. It is their unwavering passion and commitment that has given us this opportunity for closure and to honor our family member today. We are especially thankful for the service and sacrifice of PFC John Hoffman Jr. and all those that have served and sacrificed and those that continue to actively serve this great country today. We also sincerely appreciate the professionalism and kindness of the staff of South Park Funeral Home and Cemetery as they have helped honor the wishes of a grieving mother who passed before this day could happen. Above all, we thank God for our family, its heritage, this great country and the blessings this day brings.
Military Service
Private First Class John Wilson Hoffman, Jr, US Marine Corps Reserve, was assigned to L Company, Third Battalion, Sixth Marine Regiment, Second Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.
He was killed in action on November 23, 1943 during the Second Marine Division’s invasion of Betio Island Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands. His remains were reportedly recovered and buried in Row D, Cemetery 33 on this small Pacific island.
In 2009, the non-profit organization History Flight located a site on Betio Island later identified as Cemetery 33. Excavations at this site have continued since this date. In March 2019, History Flight located a burial trench west of Cemetery 33 identified as Row D. Remains recovered from the burial trench were turned over to Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. PFC John Hoffman, Jr’s remains were able to be positively identified through dental and anthropology analysis.
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