Oral History Interview with Richard Hoffman, April 17, 2007 Page: Title Page

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard F. Hoffman. Hoffman was born 7 January 1922 in Seattle, Washington. While in college, he joined the Naval Reserve V-7 program. Upon graduation in June 1943, he reported to Great Lakes Naval Training Center, then to the Midshipman School at Columbia University. In November 1943 he was commissioned an ensign and sent to Antisubmarine Warfare schools in Miami and Key West. He subsequently joined the commissioning crew of the USS Damon M. Cummings (DE-643) as the ASW officer. The Cummings sailed to the Western Pacific in September 1944, escorting a convoy to Eniwetok. She continued to provide patrol and escort duty until March 1945 when she escorted a convoy of LSTs from the Philippines to Okinawa. During the battle for Okinawa, Cummings provided picket duty, shooting down one kamikaze. After the war, she went to Japan where Hoffman was able to go ashore in Tokyo. From Japan, they sailed to Bremerton, Washington for an overhaul. Hoffman was now the Executive Officer. The Cummings crossed the Pacific again to provide services in Mainland China and French Indochina. Hoffman left the ship in May 1946 and was returned to the states. He was discharged from active duty in June 1946.