Holt, William Aaron, ATR3

William Aaron Holt's love for the Navy inspired him to re-enlist in August of 1991 for six more years in hopes of becoming an officer. His dream ended abruptly Saturday when his MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter plunged into the Persian Gulf- he was the crew chief. The Sand Springs native was one of six sailors killed in the crash. The accident occurred about 40 miles north of Bahrain after the helicopter took off from the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu. All were members of the Squadron HM-15 based at Alameda Naval Air Station near San Francisco.

Military officials have not released the cause of the accident, but have characterized it as "one of the worst U.S. military accidents in the region since the Gulf War."

Holt joined the Navy in 1987 because of the challenge and his interest in computers and flying, his sister, Ellen, said Tuesday. "That was his life," she said as tears filled her eyes. "He didn't love anything more than the Navy. His family and friends were here, but the Navy was his home." Petty Officer 3rd Class Holt, 27, planned to attend a military college in Florida followed by command school after his gulf tour ended in January or February, she said. "He was never good at being second best," she said. "He hated to be bossed around. He wanted to be the boss. That's why he was striving so hard to move up in the Navy."

Miss Holt said her brother knew the risk of being in the military and was disappointed when his crew wasn't sent to the Persian Gulf during the war. She said the entire squadron wanted to go, but was only put on standby. The MH-53 helicopter is used mainly for towing mine-sweeping detectors, but also is employed as transport. In July, his squadron was sent to Saudi Arabia for ship-to-shore transports, Miss Holt said. Although Holt wanted to participate in the war, "he felt good about going to the gulf. He went over there with a good attitude. He knew the risk, but he was doing what he loved to do and was willing to fight for his country to his death," she said.

Miss Holt said the family was extremely close. Her 3-year-old daughter, Sarah, Holt's only niece, "thought her Uncle Bill was it. She's having a hard time understanding why Jesus took him away." Holt's parents, Marie and William, last heard from him a few weeks ago when he called from Bahrain to tell them he had decided to re-enlist.

A 1982 graduate of Charles Page High School, Holt was well liked by everyone, she said. "He had an outrageous amount of friends, both here and in the Navy." "He was always looking out for the underdog," she said with a smile. "He didn't like big guys picking on little guys." Holt played football for Charles Page High School and worked several jobs after graduating before joining the Navy. Holt's father and six uncles also served in the military. An avid fisherman, Holt spent a lot of time in his youth at fishing holes in Mannford, she said. Because most of Holt's relatives are from Mannford and he spent so much time there, he will be buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery outside of the city. 
(Published in The Tulsa World, P. J. Lassek, writer, Sept. 18, 1991)

Admin Note: William's Date of Birth is yet to be determined.