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D. Gene Hoffman
Then 2LT D. Gene Hoffman directing operations after a raid on an unidentified compound in Baghdad, Iraq (c) 2003
Born (1979-07-22) July 22, 1979 (age 45)
Allegiance United States
Service / branchUnited States Army
RankMajor
Battles / warsOperation Iraqi Freedom
AwardsCombat Infantry Badge
Parachutist Badge
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal (3)
Army Commendation Medal (3)
Army Achievement Medal

Douglas Gene Hoffman (born July 22, 1979) is a United States Army Officer and recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. In 2003 his infantry platoon was among the first to pioneer the use of silly string as an improvised tool for spotting potential bomb trip wires in Iraq[citation needed]. Although the tactic saw relatively limited use in combat operations it was later made popular by public media interest in late 2006.[1] After his release from the military in 2006, Hoffman modeled clothing for Ubawear Inc. and participated in their "Why Not Peace" program critical of the war in Iraq.[2] He has since returned to military service.

Biography

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Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Hoffman attended public schools and graduated from Barbe High School in 1997. During his youth he was a member of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, attending training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, IL with summer tours of duty as a cadet at U.S. Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass, TX and aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (WAGL-540/WLM-540) White Sumac before its decommissioning and subsequent transfer to the Navy of the Dominican Republic in 2002[3].

After high school he entered the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and pursued a degree in Biology. While attending VMI, Cadet Hoffman also served as an enlisted Soldier in the 29th Infantry Division in the Virginia Army National Guard as an infantryman. After receiving his commission from VMI as a 2nd Lieutenant in 2002, he served with Task Force 2-6 as an Infantry Platoon Leader in the Iraq War from 2003-2004 seeing action in Baghdad and later in the notorious Triangle of Death (Iraq) where he was wounded in action. Hoffman's unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, for extraordinary heroism in combat during Operation Iron Saber and their subsequent exploits against the enemy in the weeks leading up to the Battle of Najaf (2004). Major Hoffman most recently served in Iraq (2009-2010) with the 392nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion under the 335th Theater Signal Command (United States).

Awards and decorations

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Combat Infantry Badge
Parachutist Badge
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
Army Achievement Medal

See also

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References

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  1. ^ [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/06/iraq/main2234543.shtml
  2. ^ "Ubawear Interview of D. Gene Hoffman". Why Not Peace. 2006. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ U.S. Coast Guard History of the USCGC White Sumac
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Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:People from Lake Charles, Louisiana Category:Virginia Military Institute alumni Category:United States Army personnel of the Iraq War