Francis Hoffman was born March 25, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest E. Hoffman on his father's ranch in Boulder Creek, California. Francis was raised with his brother Ernest at that ranch located on Bear Creek Road in the San Lorenzo Valley north of Santa Cruz. He attended local schools and entered Santa Cruz High School about 1936. In high school he took college preparatory courses and was a member of the fall class of 1940. After finishing school, he moved to Alameda County where he found employment and was married.

While living in Alameda County, Francis Hoffman registered for the draft and enlisted in the US Army in San Francisco on November 19, 1941. After completing basic training, he received additional instruction as a military policeman. He was then assigned to an MP company [Possibly the 202nd ] that participated with the 3rd Infantry Division in the Italian Campaign of 1943.

During fighting at an unidentified location in Italy on September 23, 1943, Private First Class Francis Hoffman was killed in action. His remains were later returned to the United States and buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery San Bruno, California.

(NARA2; SCHSC Pg. 22, SCSn November 9, 1943)