Benjamin D Hoeffner - OurWarHeroes.org - Tribute sites by Q Madp

Benjamin D Hoeffner

Wheat Ridge, Colorado

October 25, 2005

Age

Military

Rank

Unit/Location

Army

Cpl

Army Reserve's 324th Psychological Operations Company

Aurora, Colorado

Died in Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, on Oct. 25, of a non-combat related cause.

"TOMORROW'S NOT PROMISED"

(Ben's favorite quote)

From Chris 12/25/05:

Thank you for your website, it is amazing that people recognize these soldiers who have so unselfishly given up their lives so we can have ours. My brother is on your list and in fact you signed his guestbook on the 17th of this month. You don't have a picture of him so I have attached his deployment picture with this e-mail. Cpl. Benjamin D. Hoeffner. Once again thank you so much. Oh by the way, thank you for the Christmas e-mail. It really brought a tear to my eye. It's been a ruff day, not just the first Christmas with out Ben, but it also marks the 2 month day. Thanks again, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Chris

DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 27, 2005

PRESS RELEASE: PSYOP Soldier dies in Kuwait

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Oct. 27, 2005) — An Army psychological operations Soldier died Oct. 25 in Kuwait from a non-combat related incident while deployed with U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Benjamin Hoeffner, 21, an Army Reserve Soldier and psychological operations specialist, assigned to 324th Psychological Operations Company, based in Aurora, Colo., died from allegedly choking on his meal.

The incident is under investigation.

Hoeffner, a native of Denver, Colo., was eating dinner at a military dining facility in Kuwait when he apparently choked and fell unconscious. Army medical personnel at the scene provided medical attention, but were unable to resuscitate Hoeffner. He then was immediately transported to a troop medical clinic where he was pronounced dead.

Hoeffner entered the Army March 2003 and graduated basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C. After completing advanced individual training at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a psychological operations specialist, Hoeffner returned to Colorado for his first duty station.

He was assigned to the 324th Psychological Operations Company, Aurora, Colo., beginning January 2004. Later that year, he served in Korea with his unit on a training mission. In spring of 2005, Hoeffner deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

He was promoted to the rank of specialist in January 2005.

His military awards include the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification badge.

Hoeffner is survived by his mother and father, Irene and Rene, of Arvada, Colo.