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Personal info

Full name
STOFER, Joseph Francis
Date of birth
28 March 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Brooklyn, New York City, New York
Hometown
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York

Military service

Service number
12185979
Rank
Private
Function
unknown
Unit
407th Infantry Regiment,
102nd Infantry Division
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
2 December 1944
Place of death
Flossdorf-Linnich, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
I 5 13

Immediate family

Members
Thomas N. Stofer (father)
Anna Stofer (mother)
Thomas N. Stofer Jr. (brother)
Harry Stofer (brother)
Anna V. Stofer (sister)
Helena Stofer (sister)
James Stofer (brother)
Geraline Stofer (sister)

More information

Pvt Joseph F. Stofer attended attended Boys High School for one year and worked in a machine shop.

He volunteered for the Army of the United States in New York City, New York on 16 November 1942. He was sent overseas in September, 1944

In a letter to his mother, his commanding officer, Col Philip R. Dwyer, explained what happened to her son. During the attack on the town of Flossdorf Pvt Stofer fearlessly took over the job of firing a light machine gun, when the original gunner had been killed earlier in the day. He was hit by enemy small arms fire while courageously setting up his gun. His death was swift and he suffered no pain.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Teresa Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, Duke Stofer, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, http://www.pnj.com/story/news/military/2015/05/13/local-serviceman-found-netherlands-memorial/27244083/, Duke Stofer