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Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Holder, Randolph Mitchell, LTJG.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Jackson, MS
Last Address With VT-6 deployed on CV-6 in the Pacific.
Lt(jg) Holder's remains are actually Lost at Sea in the Pacific off the Midway islands.
Casualty Date Jun 06, 1942
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii
Wall/Plot Coordinates Court 3 (cenotaph)
Military Service Number 83 112
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
On the morning of 4 Jun 1942, aircraft of the USS Enterprise's (CV-6) air group launched to attack the Japanese carrier striking force that was approaching the Midway atoll.
Without combat air protection, Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) had to thread their way through a gauntlet of swarming enemy fighters and a hail of anti-aircraft fire. Of the fourteen torpedo planes that took off from the Enterprise that morning, only four survived the attack.
Ltjg Randolph Mitchell Holder and ARM3 Gregory Joseph Durawa did not return from this mission, and they were listed as missing in action. Their remains were unrecoverable. On 5 Jun 1943, they were presumed dead.
Comments/Citation:
Service numbers: Enlisted - 4072799 Officer - 083112
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Battalion: Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6)
Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)
Citation: "The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Randolph Mitchell Holder (NSN: 0-83112), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron SIX (VT-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942.
...
Participating in a vigorous and intensive assault against the Japanese invasion fleet, Ensign Holder pressed home his attack with relentless determination in the face of a terrific barrage of anti-aircraft fire. The unprecedented conditions under which his squadron launched its offensive were so exceptional that it is highly improbable the occasion may ever recur where other pilots of the service will be called upon to demonstrate an equal degree of gallantry and fortitude.
...
His extreme disregard of personal safety contributed materially to the success of our forces and his loyal conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."
