1945 . . .
LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, April 3, 1945
Lt. Ken Hoffmann Is Commended For Heroism In
Battle Of Bulge
It was a cold black night during the battle of the Bulge, says an Army news bulletin. Luftwaffe craft roared over and came in on the position of C Company 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, as the 4th Armored Division prepared its move that effected the historic relief of the besieged 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, Belgium.
Tracers streaming and cannon shells screaming, the enemy planes first run over the 4th Armored, set fire to a wood 105mm ammunition container. Fearing the blaze would be a beacon for the fighter bombers, he heard circling back over Assenois, Belgium, for a second run on the target, First Lieutenant Kenneth L. Hoffmann, of Le Mars, Iowa, threw himself on the burning cloverleaf. The possibility of the ammunition exploding was something forgotten in the 24-year-old officer's quick decision to blackout the fire light.
The jerry planes droned overhead and then wobbled off without renewing the attack. Lt Hoffmann picked himself up unhurt, wearing a badly singed overcoat.
Son of Leo M. Hoffmann of 19 Second Avenue SE, Le Mars , Iowa, Lt. Hoffmann , is a reinforcement officer, joined the 4th Armored Division on September 14, 1944.
Lieut. Hoffmann has since been made a captain.
