Ralph K. Hofer hailed from Salem, Missouri. Finding his way into the war via crossing the border and joining the Royal Canadian Air Force for training, he quickly established himself as a hunter by downing his first enemy aircraft on his very first mission with the 4th Fighter Group. This almost unheard of feat for a pilot new to combat flying wasn’t an anomaly in his career as Hofer went on to become a triple ace, officially credited with 15 aerial victories over his 286 combat hours and 74.5 operational sorties.
Completed 2019
Collection of Ron Freier
Ralph K. Hofer hailed from Salem, Missouri. Finding his way into the war via crossing the border and joining the Royal Canadian Air Force for training, he quickly established himself as a hunter by downing his first enemy aircraft on his very first mission with the 4th Fighter Group. This almost unheard of feat for a pilot new to combat flying wasn’t an anomaly in his career as Hofer went on to become a triple ace, officially credited with 15 aerial victories over his 286 combat hours and 74.5 operational sorties.