The 361st Infantry Regiment was one of the three regiments of the 91st "Powder River" Infantry Division that served in the Italy Campaign. The entire 91st Division did not arrive at the front lines in Italy until July or August of 1944. However, the 361st Infantry Regiment did land at Naples on 27 May 1944. It was sent into combat on 4 June, the day the Allies entered Rome.

The following quote is from the history book "The 91st Infantry Division in WW2" by Major Robert A. Robbins. Page 31 describes the events of 9 June 1944, the date of Leo Hoffman's death. Of course, Sgt Hoffman could have been wounded earlier then when he died or he may have simple died due to an accident and not combat. The FootNote Facts say he was a member of the 361st Infantry Regiment and this describes their combat for that day.

After the fall of Rome, some of the Allies units stopped to rest. The 5th Army continued to pursue the Germans as they retreated due North and also along the coastal highway, Hiway #1. The 361st Regiment was attached to the 34th Infantry Division at this time, until the remained of their division arrived. (More info on this combat may be found by searching the history of the 34th Division.)

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  "After the fighting in the Alban Hills, the 361st was attached to the 34th Infantry Division and moved rapidly along Hiway No. 1 north of Rome. During the night of 8-9 June, it relieved the 133d Infantry of the 34th Division and reverted to control of the 36th Division. The team was ordered to attack and capture TARQUINIA and then continue north along hiway No. 1 toward MONTALTO. Two companies of the 753d Tank Battalion were attached to the 361st for the mission.
    "The attack jumped off at 0530, 9 June, with the 1st Battalion on the left, along Highway No. 1. The 2d Battalion, on the right, approached TARQUINIA from the southeast. the 3d Battalion, in reserve followed 2d Battalion.
    "The attack went smoothly, and, after taking the town and eliminating the sniper fire that still persisted, the regiment pushed on north. Th eadvance was delayed slightly by a blown-out bridge across the Marta River, but the foot troops soon got across the river, and the vehicles followed when a crossing was found.
    "Continuing rapidly against slight small-arms resistance, the forward elements of the regiment pushed into MONTALTO di CASTRO at 1520. It was here that Lt-Col. (then Major) Bertram N. Sheff, Regimental S-2, captured an armored scout car single-handed, killing the entire crew. Lt-Col. Sheff was leading the Intelligence and REconnaissance Platoon.
    "At 0530, 10 June, the 361st, led by the 3d Battalion, moved out along Highway No. 1."

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The Appendix of this book has an Honor Roll of names of those who died and their next of kin and home address. It does not list the date of death or other details. This Honor Roll includes:

Hoffman, Leo E. J., Sgt Carmela Rooney 625 Lincoln St., Watsonville, Calif.

Leo E J Hoffman