Three-war veteran shares his story
11/1/2023
Maurice Hoffman had 28 years in the military, collecting numerous awards during his time of service.
Maurice Hoffman’s story takes him all over the globe during his time in the military, which began at a young age. At 17 years old, he needed his parents’ signature in order to join the Navy in 1944.
Hoffman traveled the world as a result, lasting from 1944 to 1976 — all over the U.S., Japan, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Vietnam and more. During his time in Italy, Hoffman had top-secret clearance and ended up meeting his future wife, Elena Antonacci Hoffman, in 1961.
Hoffman’s case of medals includes American Campaign 1944-1946 WWII, Asiatic Pacific Campaign 1944-1946 WWII, Army Occupation Japan/Germany 1945 WWII, World War II Victory 1945, National Defense 1950-1956, Army Good Conduct 1955-1976, Vietnam Service 1965-1969, Bronze Star 1966 Vietnam, and Army Commendation 1969 Vietnam. The pin is for the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Citation 1969. The Blue Patch is for Usaeur Germany 1955-1957.
In 1951, Hoffman taught basic training at Fort Eustis where some major names came through during his time: Sandy Saddler, a three-time world champion boxer; Vern Law, who won a Cy Young award while pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates; and MLB icon Willie Mays.
Hoffman pulled off an incredible display of rising through the ranks, going from corporal to sergeant in just 90 days.
During his time in the Navy, he witnessed three atomic bomb tests. While he was aboard the USS Ajax, Hoffman had some run-ins with wildlife.
Hoffman and his wife, Elena Antonacci Hoffman, on their wedding day in 1962
“I saw rats on there bigger than cats,” said Hoffman.
The rats weren’t the only ones, however.
“We had a cement barge with animals on it (to see how the radiation would affect them), with goats, sheep and pigs. The only thing that survived that first test was a pig. One pig. I never saw any dead fish, though. That’s funny. The water there was only about 90 feet deep,” said Hoffman.
In the second test, the explosion happened underwater. Hoffman recounts that they didn’t return to that test site for 30 days. When they did return, the evidence of radiation was everywhere.
“We were guinea pigs,” said Hoffman.
Hoffman arrived in Saigon, Vietnam, for the first time in 1965, before the U.S. had started to build up its military bases. He managed local civilian maintenance workers.
“Saigon is known as the pearl of the Far East. It was beautiful. It got so crowded from the people from the countryside coming in looking for protection. I lived in a hotel over there. They blew up three of them around me,” said Hoffman.
His second time in Vietnam was in 1968. Hoffman says he “took care” of the 101st airborne division. They worked on building roads and bunkers in northern Vietnam. One of his proudest achievements during his time in the service was never losing a man, he says.
After Vietnam, Hoffman was sent to Berchtesgaden, Germany, otherwise known as “Hitler’s retreat.” Hoffman was given a copy of Hitler’s maps to traverse through the underground caves he used to escape from Germany to Austria. He particularly enjoyed this stint of service because his wife was able to join him for it, and Hoffman recalls the two riding their bikes together throughout the city.
Once he retired from the military as Sergeant Major, Hoffman originally went to New Ulm, Germany, and eventually moved to Windsor Heights in 1973, where he lived for 35 years. Now residing in 3801 Grand Retirement Campus, Hoffman is surrounded by his countless military mementos and memories with his 15-year-old orange cat, Whatto.
Hoffman worked in Des Moines public services for 13 years before eventually retiring. Some of the things he has enjoyed in his free time included gardening (he says he grew the best tomatoes), sitting outside and playing bingo. ♦
