THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Never forget.

HOOAH

Growing up in Oceanside, California, I remember John Hoeffs throughout school as he was in my older brother's class from 1st - 12th grade. Knowing that he died while saving his fellow 'brother' is something that does not surprise us who grew up with him. He was a caring person who would always be there for others in need. It is just like him to have saved someone else although circumstances that were beyond his control took his life even though he was a trained lifeguard growing up.
We do always remember you, John, and your selfless act that took you far too soon.

Dear Sp4 John Hoeffs, Thank you for your service as an Indirect Fire Infantryman. You are still MIA. Please come home. Happy Summer in heaven! Please watch over the USA, it still needs your strength. Rest in peace with the angels.

SP4 John H. Hoeffs was a rifleman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry division. On November 28, 1966, Hoeffs was swimming with members of his unit in the vicinity of grid CQ 173 678 (about 10 miles north of the city of Tuy Hoa in Phy Yen Province, South Vietnam), when a large wave came in and swept several individuals out to sea. All the individuals were able to get back to shore except for SP4 Hoeffs. A helicopter was used to search off shore and along the shoreline for him, but he was never found, nor were any remains recovered. Hoeffs' is one of the unfortunate accidental deaths that occur wherever people are. The fact that he died an accidental death in the midst of war is tragically ironic. He is listed among the missing with honor, because his body was never found to be returned to the country he served. [Taken from pownetwork.org]