[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23989]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF FIRST LIEUTENANT GEORGE WESLEY HOFSESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 7, 2007

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory 
of First Lieutenant George Wesley Hofsess, who recently passed away at 
his Ventura, CA home on July 21, 2007. Lieutenant Hofsess dedicated his 
life to his family and his country. His courage and his commitment to 
excellence were exemplary both at home and on duty.
  Lieutenant Hofsess was born on August 5, 1915 in Partridge, Kansas 
where he grew up on a small farm. He attended Kansas State University 
where he met the love of his life, Frances Ann Esmond. They were 
happily married on June 8, 1940. Upon graduating from Kansas State 
University, Lieutenant Hofsess decided to dedicate his life to the 
service, enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force on May 28, 1942.
  Lieutenant Hofsess was assigned to the 709th Bomb Squadron, 447th 
Bomb Group, as a pilot of a B-17 Bomber, Plane 1091. He was stationed 
in England during World War II and served valiantly there, flying 28 
missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. For a time, Lieutenant Hofsess was 
reported missing in action over France.
  Eventually, Mrs. Hofsess was notified by the Washington Provost 
Marshall General that Second Lieutenant George W. Hofsess was a 
prisoner of war in Nuremburg concentration camp #4274.
  On December 28, 1944, Mrs. Hofsess received a letter from the War 
Department, stating that by direction of the President, the Air Medal 
and 1 Oak-leaf Cluster had been awarded to Second Lieutenant George W. 
Hofsess for ``exceptionally meritorious achievement'' and for 
displaying ``courage, coolness and skill.'' As these awards could not 
be formally presented to Lieutenant Hofsess, they were presented to 
Mrs. Hofsess.
  Lieutenant Hofsess earned his medals many times over. At the time his 
plane was shot down, he suffered burns to his face and hands while 
successfully evacuating his entire crew from the plane. During his 
imprisonment in the concentration camp, his older brother, Lieutenant 
Colonel Russell Hofsess, with the famous Seventh Army, began a tireless 
search for him.
  Finally, just before Germany surrendered, Lieutenant Hofsess was 
found. He walked out of the prison camp and into the arms of his older 
brother.
  First Lieutenant George W. Hofsess was Honorably Discharged from 
service on November 25, 1945. He lived the following years as a 
civilian, caring for his family and his friends.
  On July 21, 2007, First Lieutenant George Wesley Hofsess peacefully 
passed at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, 
Frances Ann Hofsess; his daughter Anne Stamos and her husband Lucas of 
San Jose, CA; his daughter Julie Antal and her husband Tom of 
Minneapolis, MN; and his grandson, Grant Murray, of San Jose. 
Lieutenant Hofsess left a legacy of bravery and selflessness through 
his service to his country. Throughout his life, he fought to protect 
peace and freedom and was a loving husband and father. We are forever 
grateful for his service to this nation and the world. The 
contributions of First Lieutenant George W. Hofsess will not be 
forgotten and he will be sorely missed.

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