STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of GySgt Lawrence B. Hoffa, U.S. Marine Corps (1967-2000)

When I watched the Ed Sullivan Show in 1962, the Everly Brothers had just graduated from Marine Corps Boot Camp and performed in their Dress Blues that Saturday evening. That was my first inspiration.

However, my brother Tom Hoffa had joined the Corps in 1963, and when he came home from boot camp, I knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I always looked up to my brother, who is six years older than me, and I always wanted to hang out with him growing up.

When I first joined in January 1967 for a three-year enlistment, I never thought at that time I would be making it a career. After three years of active duty and three years of reserves, I decided to leave the Corps and head out into the civilian world. I had gone to a two-year business school (Taylor Business Institute) in NYC, dropped out after a year, then went to work for General Motors until the plant closed, moved over to Ford Motor Company until that plant closed, continued going from job to job, drinking too much and still trying to find my place in life.

Vietnam was a significant factor in many of my reckless moves at the time. Once I quit drinking and got my head on straight, I decided to return to the Marine Corps. However, the Corps was downsizing at the time, and I couldn’t get back in. So, I listened to my brother Tom, who had suggested I join the Army National Guard and then, after a few years, try again to return to the Marine Corps.

As it turned out, I did precisely that. When I left the Guard, I was a Staff Sergeant promotable to Sgt First Class but decided to leave the Guard and re-enlist back in the Corps as a Corporal. My wife, Lori, was not too happy about that decision, with such a big drop in pay. But my love for the Corps and the goals I had set for myself would indeed pay off in the future. I would stay in the Marine Corps until I was permanently retired on December 1, 2003.

On February 14, 1968, while stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA, serving with the 5th Service Bn. 5th Marine Division, I would find myself, along with many other Marines, that ALL Marines, regardless of your MOS, are riflemen first and foremost.

My MOS was 3516 (mechanic) at the time, but that would change with the Tet Offensive of 1968. Within 48 hours, I would be in Vietnam serving with Echo Company, 2nd Bn, 27th Marines. We had flown out of El Toro with full combat gear, field transport packs, an M14, and a Regiment made up of young Marines from different MOSs.

I believe every Marine who has served in combat has encountered a situation that you might not survive. That is when you rely on your Marine training and pray that you come out on top. Unfortunately, I had many close calls during my 20 months in the country. While on a day patrol in an area known for booby traps, LCpl. Cooper, our point man, tripped an explosive device, which killed him and wounded other Marines in the Squad, including me. A sorrowful day for Echo Co. 2/27 Third Plt. Third Squad.

My favorite duty station has to be with the First Marine Corps District, where I served in recruiting, and RS Springfield, MA, where I was an NCOIC of RSS Bridgeport, CT. I found both of these duty stations to be very tight groups of dedicated Marines, and I am still in touch with many of them today.

My least favorite would have to be 8th Comm. Bn. is also known, still to this day, as 8th Crime Bn.

That would have to be Vietnam, and later in my career, being stationed at Henderson Hall, HQMC, working as an assistant Marine liaison at the NNMC in Bethesda, Md.

Received two purple hearts during my tour in Vietnam. Both were minor wounds. The first was from a booby trap that killed LCpl Cooper, and the second was when we got to Goi Noi Island during Operation Allen Brook on our first day there.

I also received a Navy-Marine Corps Commendation and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal for just doing my job—nothing heroic. During my time with the Army National Guard, I received an Army Commendation and an Army Achievement Medal. Again, nothing heroic; according to the Marine Corps and the Army, I just do my job above and beyond.

This probably sounds crazy, but going through the Airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga, at the age of 41 seems to be the most meaningful to me. I am most proud of my “Jump wings.”

In 1991, I had the honor of taking the Airborne course with Marines from 2nd Recon who had just returned from Desert Storm.

Many individuals during my career in the Corps had a positive impact on me and were great mentors. I would have to start with my Squad Leader, who at that time was Cpl Reiger. I genuinely believe that what he had taught me while serving with Echo Co. 2/27 3rd Plt. 3rd Sqd kept me alive during my time in Vietnam (Tet-68)

It also made me a better Fireteam Ldr and, eventually, Sqd Ldr.

Next would be MGySgt Ron Garabedian, Capt Patrick Patalino, MGySgt Tom Kelly, CWO3 Keith Jeffries, Sgt Major Robert Holub, Colonel Blice, Colonel Golden III, Major Gould, Colonel Sansone, Sgt Major Tom Howard, and Capt. Jim Dennehy. I’m sure I have left many out, but these Marines are the ones that are instilled in my brain housing group.

I went into law enforcement and worked with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office. After 3.5 years, I left and became a contractor with AEGIS, LLC. I then went to Kabul, Afghanistan, to provide Diplomatic Security. As of this year, 2013, I have gone back into retirement. I have just reflected on all the great years I have had and spent as much time as I can with my wife of 40+ years, my daughters, sons-in-law, and our three grandsons.

I am a life member of the MCL, MOPH, and the American Legion, and I also participate with PGR when I can. The biggest benefit is the camaraderie with the members of these great military associations.

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your life and your career? What do you miss most about your time in the service?

I have to start with Marine Corps Boot Camp. It instilled discipline, physical fitness, courage, commitment, and taking pride in oneself. This carried on not only during my career but also into my civilian jobs in law enforcement and working for DOS doing Diplomatic Security. The Corps taught me never to quit, to be the best at whatever you do, to be honest, honorable, and respectful, and always remember the Core values, “HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT.“

Be the best Marine you can be while serving our great nation, set goals, and always strive to reach them. Mirror yourself after good Marines and stay away from the 10% of bad Marines, which even in our beloved Corps has.

In What Ways Has Togetherweserved.com Helped You Remember Your Military Service And The Friends You Served With?

It has been a great help in finding my fellow brothers I’ve served with in the past. It helped me reflect on my career and to share it with others.