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SSgt Abe Hofberg was born in Argentina on July 2, 1909. By the 1930’s, he was a full time counter man at his parents’ deli in Washington, D.C. He entered federal service on August 17, 1942, and was assigned to the 865th Engineer Aviation Battallion. His unit landed at New Guinea in December of 1943 and was primarily in charge of creating landing strips that would be used by local American units. Attached to the 23rd Americal Infantry Division by late March, 1945, the unit went to Cebu where it worked on the Lahug airstrip. SSgt Hofberg was wounded in action and earned his Purple Heart for burns recieved from an explosion in April 1945. His medal is engraved by pantograph machines that were usually found at seperation centers, most likely around July or August of 1945. After his discharge, Abe returned to Washington, D.C., and took up his counter duties at the old deli. After taking over the entire business, Hofberg’s Deli became a favorite for area locals. Abe Hofberg passed away on December 11, 1974.
