We need your vote!

The Medal of Honor Museum at Patriots Point is nominated as Best New Museum for USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Vote today!

Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

or
  • Filter Recipient Database here
    • Service Branch
    • Conflict / Era
    • Additional Filters
      -  
    or

World War I - U.S. Marine Corps

Charles F Hoffman

Details
  • Also Known As: Janson, Ernest August
  • Rank: Gunnery Sergeant (Highest Rank: Sergeant Major)
  • Conflict/Era: World War I
  • Unit/Command:
    49th Company, 5th Regiment,
    2d Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: June 6, 1918
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Chateau-Thierry, France
Citation

[Received both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor for the same deed.]

Army Medal of Honor: Immediately after the company to which he belonged had reached its objective on Hill 142, several hostile counterattacks were launched against the line before the new position had been consolidated. GSgt. Hoffman was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with five light machine guns, crawling toward his group. Giving the alarm, he rushed the hostile detachment, bayoneted the two leaders, and forced the others to flee, abandoning their guns. His quick action, initiative, and courage drove the enemy from a position from which they could have swept the hill with machine-gun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops. Navy Medal of Honor: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918. Immediately after the company to which GSgt. Janson belonged had reached its objective on Hill 142, several hostile counterattacks were launched against the line before the new position had been consolidated. GSgt. Janson was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with five light machine guns, crawling toward his group. Giving the alarm, he rushed the hostile detachment, bayoneted the two leaders, and forced the others to flee, abandoning their guns. His quick action, initiative, and courage drove the enemy from a position from which they could have swept the hill with machine-gun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops.

Medal of Honor Recipient Ernest A. Janson, aka Charles F. Hoffman
Medal of Honor Recipient Ernest A. Janson, aka Charles F. Hoffman
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Born: August 17, 1878, New York, NY, United States
  • Died: May 14, 1940, Brooklyn, NY, United States
  • Buried: The Evergreens Cemetery (Bethany-2888), Brooklyn, NY, United States
 

Questions? For More Information Contact Us!