Number From Area Included On Missing Lists; Safety of Some Subsequently reported for duty
“Missing in action.”
Official notifications from the war and navy departments, bearing this saddening information about a loved one, have come to a number of homes in this area since the Pearl Harbor attack back in the waning days of 1941.
For some relatives, this opening sentence was followed by happier information in the course of time. For others, where no further details have been received, only the hope will come, revealing the safety of a loved one.
For, in a number of cases, some of the men who were reported as missing in action were later reported to have rejoined their combat units, or rescued by comrades. Others, subsequent messages related, were being held prisoners by enemy countries and have communicated with relatives.
Others, about whom their commanders have had no additional information to relate, have, after an interval, been declared officially to have been killed in action.
And, for the parents and relatives of some, the suspense of waiting has continued month after month, as they clung to the hope that no news may be good news and that some day, soon if possible, a message may clear, reporting that the absent member is alive and well.
From official lists issued at intervals, augmented in instances by information obtained from relatives and friends, the following information relative to those from this area who have been reported missing in action was obtained.
Edward Hoffman, first shellman on the American Destroyer Roman, was aboard the ship when it went down as the result of an underwater explosion off the Italian coast, according to a message received on Sept. 18, 1943, by his relatives here.
Hoffman, 32, enlisted in the Navy on Dec. 8, 1941, a day after the surprise attack of the Japs on Pearl Harbor. He was in training at the U. S. Naval training station at Great Lakes one month when he was assigned to active duty.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, December 30, 1943
Battle Casualties Sadden More Homes
EDWARD HOFFMAN, Seaman First Class—Seaman Edward Hoffman, reported missing in action, Sept. 11, 1943, was later reported dead by the Navy department in a message received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hoffman, 1220 Smalley avenue. He was on the American destroyer, Roman, when that ship went down as the result of an underwater explosion. He enlisted in the Navy, Dec. 8, 1941, a day after Pearl Harbor.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Year-End Review Edition, Friday, Dec. 29, 1944
140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice in Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many Reported Wounded
The names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in World War No. 2, compiled from records maintained by The Journal, follow:
Edward G. Hoffman, jr. S 1/c, son of Edward Hoffman, 1220 Smalley avenue, presumed as dead a year following the report that he was missing in action Sept. 11, 1943, while on the USS Roman sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Source: Muscatine Journal, Victory in Europe Edition, May 7, 1945
Petty Officer Edward George Hoffman died Sept. 12, 1944 and is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: abmc.gov
