Major General (Ret.) John A. (Jack) Hoefling

Major General (Ret) John A. (Jack) Hoefling, a longtime resident of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, was called home by God on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. He passed away peacefully at his home while surrounded by his loved ones. Jack was 93 years old.

Jack was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He left Wisconsin to attend the US Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1946. He met Patricia Flynn while a West Point cadet and they were married soon after his graduation. They were happily married for 72 years.

Jack was a devoted Catholic with complete faith in God, he was also a devoted family man. He was a scholar, an athlete and a soldier. Above all, he loved his church, his family, his country and his many dear friends.

As a scholar, Jack received two master’s degrees and attended the Advanced Management program at Harvard University. He was both a graduate and a faculty member at the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

As an athlete, Jack played football in Milwaukee and was selected to play All-City and All-Conference. He also played on the team that was the National Service Champions at Fort Benning, Georgia, as well as at West Point as a linebacker and fullback. Jack also played basketball, ran track and was an avid golfer.

As a soldier, Jack was a Senior Paratrooper and an infantryman. As a Captain, he commanded an Infantry Company in the Korean War where he was awarded a Silver Star for valor. In Vietnam, where he was awarded a second Silver Star, he commanded the second Brigade of the famous 101st Airborne Division; while the normal tour of command was six months he kept his command for an entire year in heavy combat. Although the Second Brigade fought in the A Shau Valley several times, he was best noted for the battle at Vinh Loc in October 1968, which he planned and executed.

Jack was also Assistant Division Commander of the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. His last military assignment was Chief of the Army, Foreign Military Sales. Jack retired after 30 years of service. His awards included: two Combat Infantryman badges, the Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Legions of Merit, a Soldier’s Medal, five Bronze Stars, twenty Air Medals, and numerous foreign decorations.

After his retirement from the US Army, Jack went to Saudi Arabia for nine years where he trained the Saudi National Guard as a Program Manager for Prince Abdullah, who later became the Saudi King. He also worked for Litton Industries as the VP and General Manager on the command and control system for the Saudi Air Defense Forces.

Jack belonged to the Memorial Chapel at Carlisle Barracks and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Carlisle. He attended daily mass frequently and gave monthly support to many charities. He was a lifetime member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Military Officers Association (MOA). He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Exchange Club.

Jack was listed in the Marquis “Who’s Who in America” for over 20 years.

Jack is survived by his wife, Patricia, and son, John P. Hoefling and wife Susan; two daughters, Peggy Hoefling and her wife Louise Shapiro; and Kathlein Ambridge. He is also survived by his grandchildren Elliott Hoefling, his wife Andrea; Shelby Hoefling; Jack Ambridge; Chris Ambridge, and his wife Dinora; and his great-grandson John McNaughton (AKA Mac). He is pre-deceased by his granddaughter Ashley Patricia-Kate Hoefling. He is also survived by his brother Thomas Hoefling and wife Sonja, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and pre-deceased by his sister Shirley.

He was dearly loved and will be profoundly missed by many.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 2nd, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Mary Queen of Peace, USAWC Memorial Chapel on Carlisle Barracks, Saturday, November 3rd, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Mount Zion Cemetery of Churchtown, Boiling Springs.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.

To sign the guestbook, please visit www.hoffmanFH.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ashley’s Clinic - http://shineonsierraleone.org/ashleys-clinic/

This is a clinic set up to provide medical support to children at Muddy Lotus School in Sierra Leone in Jack’s grand-daughter’s memory. Jack supported this charity since it was started in 2017.