The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association

mail .
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Looking for information regarding Harvey Hoeppner, from
St. Paul, MN who served with me in the U.S. Marine Corps in
Korea from 1950 to 1952. I believe he was in the 7th Marine Regt,
T & R Command, 1st Div. I would like to know, if possible, which
battallion he served with and his company. Thank you. I trained
with Harvey for a few months after we were called up in August,
1950. .Contact Ray Barton at Email:
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Looking for Sgt. Raymond Free, Medic and Howard
Sheldon of F Co., 5th Cav. 1950-51. Contact Richard D. Clark,
221 Ferry Rd., Saco, Maine 04072. Tel: 207-282-2083
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Here is the information regarding Frederick Theodore (Ted)
Hoffman. It is my sincere hope that it will be useful in helping to
locate the men in his unit. My goal is to meet Ted’s comrades,
because perhaps they would be willing to speak with me and share
stories, photos, or even letters. Every bit we learn about Ted and
the things he did in his life, clarifies in our minds what kind of
man he was. Thus far, I would have felt highly privileged to have
met him. We weren’t permitted the chance to get to know him
because of the treacherous actions of the family. By the time we
found out where he was, he had been dead ten years. It was a tragic
loss. I do believe, though, that God Himself is using us to honor
Ted the way he should have been. And the wonderful changes
brought about in the hearts of his sons can never been taken from
them.
Frederick Theodore (Ted) Hoffman Service number: ER56149
734 Auth: AR 135-133 & para 3a SR 140-177-1 Lived in
Pasadena, Calif. at the time of his induction. Inducted April 20
1951 - Fort Ord. Most Significant duty assignment: Hq-Hq Co.
27th Inf. APO #25.
Ted was first a private, and later promoted to Corporal. He was
a paratrooper and an Ammo supply specialist. He was later known
among friends as a weapons expert.
The following experience was told to us by Ted’s half brother,
Bobby Zediker when we finally met him. I don’t know how accurate
the details are, but I think the basic idea is correct. At some
time in mid to late 1952, while Ted was in Korea, he and his unit
were ordered to hold a post. (I don’t know which one, but it was
near a bridge). Their post was attacked. One of his comrades was
captured and wounded in the process. Ted and two or three others
went to rescue their comrade as the captor was dragging him
away. Ted received a bayonet wound to the stomach while fighting
with one of the captors. Ted and his men killed the captors,
threw them over the bridge, and returned to their post, carrying
their wounded comrade. Ted was released from duty as a result of
his wound. There was a court martial against Ted for leaving his
post. He was found innocent of wrong doing, and given an
Honorable Discharge.
Ted was transferred to Army Reserve January 17, 1953.
January 1953 he returned to school, and finished his high school
courses, and received his High School Diploma. Ted was approximately
5’ 3, brown hair, & stocky build. While in the Army he
received a tattoo on his upper right arm of what looks like a leaping
black panther. His walking stride was side to side, as opposed
to one foot in front of the other (a peculiar [and inherited] way to
walk). In his civilian life he was an expert mechanic. He loved
deep sea fishing, and later after returning home, he purchased a
commercial fishing boat named LUEV The boat had been converted
from a WWII landing craft in 1956.
I thank you for your generous considerations. I understand
that, even though I personally came from a traumatic background,
I could never know what it is like to fight in wars, to see terrible
sufferings and destruction on such a giant scale. The personal cost
to each soldier is known only to those who’ve been there, and cannot
be truly communicated to those of us who never have.
Lorraine Hoffman, P.O. Box 1191, Manhattan Beach, CA
90267-1191. Tel: 310-766-0999.
(Veterans, 1 can give Lorraine some of the answers to her questions
but mainly what 1 interrupt from her letter that is more
important is to find someone that knew him in Korea or any other
place of duty. 1 received a telephone call from Lorraine in early
January and asked her for more information to do a “Looking
For...” in our Graybeards. I do not know the family problems but
it would be a great gift to find someone who knew him.–Ed)
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I was with HQ Co. 1st Bn. 1st Marines 1st Marine Div.
Communication Section. Looking for W. Stanley Kentigh, St.
Louis, MO; Donald F, Kenson, Charlestontown, NH; G. E.
Koening, Glenwood Springs, CO; L. A. Koyl, Lapeer, MI; and
Edwin L. Myers, Grove Point, OH. Contact Casimir R. Kogut,
25766 South Polk Street, Monee, IL 61834. Tel: 708-534-2746.
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Looking for William Boswell Lt and Capt Harry Hedlund
they were witnessed of Col Edgar Treacy, Jr. death. Need address,
email address, or telephone number. Contact Carroll G. Everist at
e-mail or web page http://members.cox.net/sqtl/
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The 96th FA Bn. is looking for members who served in Korea
from Sept. 1950 to July 1958. We have 444 members located and
on our roster. Our Assn. is active with reunions and comradeship.
Please contact Arnold Anderson, HC 83 Box 116A, Custer, SD
57730. Phone 605/673-6313.
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When I was released by the North Koreans on 1 September
1953, after almost three years as a POW, I was met by General
Ridgeway. A photographer from Pacific Stars and Stripes, took
a photo of me saluting General Ridgeway. He said a copy would
be sent to my family. It never was, or if it was, we never received
it. I am trying to obtain a copy of that photo.
I wrote to Pacific Stars & Stripes but they disclaim any knowledge
of it. I know it exists because a friend of mine was stationed
in Tokyo at that time and saw the photo in that newspaper. But the
Japanese gentleman who answered my letter was quite adamant
and seemed to be irritated because I wrote and asked for the
photo. If I remember correctly, his reply was something like, “We
have more things to do than look for old photos.”
Contact William F. Borer, 556 Osprey Drive, Hampstead, NC
28443-8302. Tel: 910-270-0049 or e-mail at .
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