In July, AUSA and the Army lost a great friend and supporter. Former Secretary of the Army Martin R. Hoffman died of cancer on July 14.After completing a degree in English literature at Princeton University in 1954, he enlisted in the Army. He was subsequently commissioned from Officer Candidate School and served in the 101st Airborne Division until 1958. He then entered the University of Virginia Law School, graduating 1961 with L.L.B. degree.Hoffman’s career was extraordinary and extraordinarily varied. He was an Assistant United States Attorney and served as clerk for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals. On Capitol Hill, he was counsel for the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee and legal counsel to Senator Charles Percy.He served Secretary James R. Schlesinger as counsel and advisor at the Atomic Energy Commission and the Department of Defense. He was General Counsel for the Department of Defense when appointed Secretary of the Army by President Gerald Ford.As Secretary of the Army from 1975 until 1977, Hoffman faced many challenges, not the least being the EE 304 cheating scandal at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which involved a take-home electrical engineering test.The allegation that dozens and perhaps hundreds of cadets were involved in violations of the honor code created a national firestorm of concern and criticism. Subsequent investigation confirmed the worst. Cadets had been in widespread cheating and distortion and abuse of the honor code.This may have been the greatest upheaval in the history of the academy. Secretary Hoffman involved himself extensively in the matter, to include calling upon former astronaut Frank Borman to head a commission to inquire into the matter and conduct a major review of the institution.Hoffman’s legal background was important in the ongoing review and his decisions had lasting effect upon West Point and are reflected in procedures to this day.Other major challenges facing Hoffman included oversight of the development and acquisition of major weapon systems such as the Abrams tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and Apache helicopter.He also faced major societal challenges including creating an all-volunteer force in the wake of the 1973 abolition of the draft, and the increasing entry of women into the force and preparation for admitting women to West Point.Moreover, Hoffman’s service as Secretary of the Army was a part of a spectacular career of public service.When Donald Rumsfeld again became Secretary of Defense in 2001, he asked Hoffman to assist him in various matters including the war in Afghanistan and the treatment of traumatic brain injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.When not in government service, Hoffman was active in the practice of law both in private practice and as corporate counsel. He was also active in various commercial activities both as corporate director and as an active participant.Along with all this, he served on many commissions and served various non-profit community enterprises.Hoffman’s involvement with the Association of the U.S. Army was one of his more important activities and involved him for more than 20 years. As a member of the Council of Trustees he was a true activist involving himself in many AUSA programs. His energy and intellectual stimuli were important in the creation and substantive development of the Institute of Land Warfare.Known to friends as "Marty", he was a wonderfully engaging presence with a wry but gentle humor. He had many passions in life. First, of course, was his wife Margaret, better known as "Muggy". He also loved the law, he was devoted to the Army, had a passion for Bluegrass music and general passion for life along with an abiding disdain for pomposity. His passing is an enormous loss to many.Survivors include his wife Margaret; three children, Cecil "Heidi" Hoffman Slye, William Hoffman and Bernard Hoffman; three sisters, and three grandchildren.