COMMANDER CHARLES KEITH HOFFMAN (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade), United States Naval Reserve. For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN, attached to the U. S. S. WASP, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, October 26, 1944. Braving intense enemy antiaircraft fire from powerful units of the Japanese Fleet, lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hoffman pressed home a determined, close-range attack to score a direct hit on an enemy battleship. His superb airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Commander Hoffman resides in Utah.