Roy Victor Hoffman

Major General Roy V. Hoffman (1869-1953) was born at Osage Mission (now St. Paul), Kansas, and entered the Oklahoma Territory the night before the 1889 land run. He had joined the US Army June 1898 and was appointed to Captain, Infantry, US Volunteers.

He was discharged February 1899 and in March was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. February 1900 he was appointed to colonel, First Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard. June 25, 1916, he commanded the First Oklahoma Infantry for standby service on the Mexican border; remaining in that capacity through March 1917. He was wounded from inhaling gas during the World War I Battle of Cantigny. After World War I he commanded in many capacities and, after nearly 35 years service, retired a Major General, June 1933.

His many awards and decorations include the French Order of Commander of the Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre with Palm; Order of the Crown of Italy and Belgium and Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal. He earned the title: "Father of the Oklahoma National Guard." He was a founding member of the American Legion.