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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Gunnery Sergeant · U.S. Marine Corps

Charles F. Hoffman

Gunnery Sergeant Charles F. Hoffman, Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 6, 1918 near Chateau-Thierry, France during World War I.

World War I June 6, 1918Double recipient

Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Gunnery Sergeant Charles F. Hoffman received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 6, 1918 near Chateau-Thierry, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with 49th Company, 5th Regiment, 2d Division. Hoffman was 39 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant Major. Hoffman is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (June 6, 1918).

Hoffman was born on August 17, 1878 in New York, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Hoffman died on May 14, 1940, at the age of 61. He is buried at The Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Hoffman is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

[Received both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor for the same deed.]

Navy Medal of Honor: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918. Immediately after the company to which GSgt. Janson belonged had reached its objective on Hill 142, several hostile counterattacks were launched against the line before the new position had been consolidated. GSgt. Janson was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with five light machine guns, crawling toward his group. Giving the alarm, he rushed the hostile detachment, bayoneted the two leaders, and forced the others to flee, abandoning their guns. His quick action, initiative, and courage drove the enemy from a position from which they could have swept the hill with machine-gun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. August 17, 1878
    Born in New York, New York
  2. June 6, 1918
    Act of valor — near Chateau-Thierry, France
    Age 39. 49th Company, 5th Regiment, 2d Division
  3. May 14, 1940
    Died
    Age 61.
  4. Resting place
    The Evergreens Cemetery
    Brooklyn, New York

Second Medal of Honor

CH Charles F. Hoffman Gunnery Sergeant · Marine Corps World War I · 1918

Also honored for actions on June 6, 1918

Weedon Edward Osborne Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy World War I · 1918 ✦

More World War I recipients from New York

Matej Kocak Sergeant · Marine Corps World War I · 1918 ✦ William Shemin Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ FG Frank J. Gaffney Private First Class · Army World War I · 1918 William Joseph "wild bill" Donovan Lieutenant Colonel · Army World War I · 1918 Benjamin Kaufman First Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 WT William Bradford Turner First Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.