First Name: Edwin Lee “Ted”
Last Name: Hoffman
Middle Initial:
Date of Birth: 12/19/1942
Sex: Male
Martial Status: Divorced
Number of Children: Yes
Home Town: Pontiac, Michgian
Education Completed: Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University
Other Occupations: Flight Simulator Instructor
Branch of Service: Air Force
Highest Rank: Captain
Serial Number: N/A
Platoon: N/A
Age at Start of Service: Over 21
Years of Service: 5 to 10
Combat Veteran: Yes
Time in Combat: 2-3 years
Place of Combat: Vietnam
Awards:
Date of Suicide: 11/22/1997
Suicide Method: Shotgun
Veteran’s Story: learned to fly at Michgian State University where he was a member of ROTC. When he wasn’t actually flying a plane, his hands were representing planes as he told stories on near misses and grand adventures. A fellow pilot in Vietnam remembered Ted with these words at his memorial service: “Ted was a true fighter pilot, opinionated, confident of his flying abilities, and extremely competitive in everything he did.” Ted was one of those chosen to see if 2nd Lieutenants could handle the difficult task of flying in the front seat of the F-4 as the aircraft commander. Following the Vietnam conflict, Ted was stationed with the 32rd Tactical Fighter Squadron in Holland. Ted left the Air Force in the early 1980s. Civilian life held many challenges. Although there were struggles, his love of his family never wavered. Ted’s 22 year old son, Peter, died on a sudden, unexpected heart attack in September 1996. After suffering from depression and addiction for over a decade, this loss was too much for Ted to bear. We loved him so.
Submitted By: Ruth A. Hoffman, Cynthia M. Brower
Relationship to Veteran: Sibling, Daughter
