Ira F. Hoffman
World War I - Killed in Action
Company G, 26th Infantry, 1st Expeditionary Division
July 3, 2017 - The World War in France for the United States was in its third month when Ira Hoffman at the age of 20 enlisted in the Regular Army at Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, Louisiana on July 11, 1917. After basic training, he was assigned to Company G, 26th Infantry (Blue Spaders), 1st Expeditionary Division (later known as 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One). Private Hoffman and his unit departed Hoboken New Jersey for the fight “over there” in France on January 12, 1918 aboard a troop transport ship known only as # 27.
As part of the first American soldiers to arrive in France, the regiment immediately left for the front. Along with its sister regiments of the division, it earned more campaign streamers than any other during World War I. However, they came at a terrible cost. Over 900 Blue Spaders lost their lives in a six-month period. At Soissons alone, the regimental commander, executive officer, two of three battalion commanders and the regimental sergeant major were killed in action; sixty-two officers were killed or wounded; and out of 3,100 Blue Spaders that started the attack, over 1,500 had been killed or wounded. But the battle was won and this turned the tide for the Allies at a crucial period during the summer of 1918. By war's end, the soldiers earned seven battle streamers and two foreign awards. Although first he was first reported as missing in action it was later determined that Private Ira F. Hoffman of Shelby County, Texas was killed in action during the second day of the battle of Soisson on July 19th, 1918.
Following a brief occupation duty in Germany, the regiment returned to the United States without their comrade Ira Hoffman and served as a part of a smaller peacetime Army. On June 19th, 1921 his remains departed Antwerp, Belgium aboard the USS Wheaton and arrived in the United States 13 days later. From Hoboken, New Jersey his casket and military escort arrived by train in Center, Texas along with two other deceased Shelby County soldiers, Norfleet Armstrong and Hulen Oates. Members of the Norman G. Crocker American Legion Post of Center met the train and escorted the bodies to where the funerals were to be held. Each coffin was draped with the American Flag. Mr. Hoffman’s remains were taken to the First Baptist Church and then to Fairview Cemetery for interment.
Born in San Antonio, Texas in the year 1898 to Annie Hoffman Lansford he is believed to be an only child. Records indicate that she too is buried in Fairview Cemetery but a stone could not be found. Information pertaining to his father could not be located but his stepfather, William Lansford is buried in the Campti Methodist Cemetery, Shelbyville, Texas.
Sources: (The Champion, July 27, 1921, reprinted in Mildred Cariker Pinkston, Obituaries of Early Pioneers, Shelby County, Texas, Center: Center Printing Co., 1983; Ancestry.com; Family Search.org; Find A Grave memorial 28152051; Wikipedia.org).
