Today I take a step back and reflect.Many of my dedicated readers know what my profession is. Yes, I am in the Marine Corps. Even fewer know that I am a Marine Infantry Officer. And still, even fewer know that I am a Marine Infantry Officer that was in the second Battle of Fallujah.
On November 11 2004, I lost two of my Marines. Before you read accounts on what happened I'd like to tell you a little bit about Kyle Burns and Sam Holder.
Kyle was my gunner - We lived inside a turret no bigger than the front two seats in a Hyundai...let's just say we got to know each other. I would describe him as a Carhartt wearing, Copenhagen swilling, country music loving cowboy who could cuss with the best of them, from Laramie Wyoming. Kyle was a veteran of OIF I and this was his second trip to the sandbox. I hand picked him to be my gunner because as a platoon commander you need the best with you because your time is so precious that you have to have someone that can control a 14 ton vehicle while you are busy controlling the fight and your platoon over a radio.He was awesome to watch, a dedicated professional who loved his job and what he did on a daily basis. He could tear apart and put back together in record time the main gun on our LAV (about 50 parts) while sitting on something the size of a bar stool with a work space no bigger than a pizza box.
Sam Holder was my Platoon Sergeant - a mountain of a man from Littleton Colorado. When you think of a Marine - you are thinking of Sam Holder. He was my right hand - my hammer.
(I found this picture today15 Nov and added it to the post)
If I needed something I would ask SSgt Holder. If something was wrong, I would tell SSgt Holder. If my Marines screwed up they would be sure not to tell and do everything to avoid SSgt Holder. He spent his early years in the Marine Corps on embassy duty in places like Trinidad & Tobago, Cyprus and the Czech Republic, where he met his fiancee, Jana.
Fallujah was a violent, kinetic house to house fight that lasted over three months when it was all said and done. Sam Holder and Kyle Burns were both killed on Veterans day, minutes apart.
Because of their actions others are alive today - Because of them I will live my life to its fullest.
I WILL NEVER FORGET
I'll leave you with Staff Sergeant Sam Holder's Silver Star Citation.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to:
Theodore S. Holder, II, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
I'll leave you with Staff Sergeant Sam Holder's Silver Star Citation.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to:
Theodore S. Holder, II, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Platoon Sergeant, Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/3, Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM
On 11 November 2004. While conducting a movement to contact through the city of Al Fallujah, Iraq, Staff Sergeant Holder and his Light Armored Reconnaissance Company was ambushed from the front and right flank. A heavy volume of enemy small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire hit the lead vehicle, severely wounding one of the scouts. With no way for the scouts to remount their vehicle without exposing themselves to a devastating wall of machine gun fire, Staff Sergeant Holder, with complete disregard for his own safety, skillfully maneuvered his vehicle directly into the enemy's line of fire in order to protect them. Even as a burst of machine gun fire hit the turret wounding him, he continued to remain exposed and guide the fires of the gunner onto the enemy positions. As the enemy fire began to concentrate on the vehicle, he continued to fire an M-240G machine gun and control the fires of the vehicle's main gun. As the enemy fire continued to build, he was seriously wounded once again. Despite the severity of his wounds, he continued to man the machine gun and return fire upon the enemy, eventually succumbing to his fatal injuries. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Staff Sergeant Holder reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
On 11 November 2004. While conducting a movement to contact through the city of Al Fallujah, Iraq, Staff Sergeant Holder and his Light Armored Reconnaissance Company was ambushed from the front and right flank. A heavy volume of enemy small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire hit the lead vehicle, severely wounding one of the scouts. With no way for the scouts to remount their vehicle without exposing themselves to a devastating wall of machine gun fire, Staff Sergeant Holder, with complete disregard for his own safety, skillfully maneuvered his vehicle directly into the enemy's line of fire in order to protect them. Even as a burst of machine gun fire hit the turret wounding him, he continued to remain exposed and guide the fires of the gunner onto the enemy positions. As the enemy fire began to concentrate on the vehicle, he continued to fire an M-240G machine gun and control the fires of the vehicle's main gun. As the enemy fire continued to build, he was seriously wounded once again. Despite the severity of his wounds, he continued to man the machine gun and return fire upon the enemy, eventually succumbing to his fatal injuries. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Staff Sergeant Holder reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Below you'll find links with other stories about theses brave men - please take the time to read them.
Rocky Mountain News: Jul 21, 2006 - Sam Holder
Rocky Mountain News: Jul 21, 2006 - Sam Holder
To all of my fellow Veterans - Happy Veterans Day and welcome home.
To all in harms way - stay safe, keep your weapon clean and come home soon.
S/F
Crash sends...
13 comments:
Happy Veterans Day. May we never, ever forget.
Sir, I do not know you but Sam Holder is my little brother. I use this term loosely of course, because at 6' 2" and 200 plus pounds he was a powerful presence, but the Sammy I remember was tall and lanky with chicken legs and a very witty and dry sense of humor.
I cannot tell you what it means to my family to hear from the men he served with. It helps us to have a better understanding of who he was and what he went through. In many ways it has brought us closer to him. But, the man you described wasn't someone I knew.
My brother was sensitive and often expressed his emotions more freely than I could. To me he was the kid I turned to when I needed a laugh, the person I competed with for my parent's affections and later the friend I turned to when I needed a shoulder.
I have had few conversations with the men he served with in Fallujah. My family met many of the guys at an event called Remembering the Brave, where my mom was presented with his silver star. I got the impression that he was respected, a little feared and that his humor was tolerated. He was an excellent Marine.
What you may not know is how much he loved all of his men. And if there were ever any doubt, I must recount a conversation he had with Jana just before he left.
Jana was begging him not to go. To her, the war was not worth the danger. They were going to start a family and she needed him. With tears in his eyes he explained that his men needed him and if he were to die saving them, that would be OK.
I believe that in his heart he understood his duty and ultimately his fate. I guess we have to accept that, but our hearts ache for him everyday.
I often wonder what it would be like if he were home ... or rather what he would be like. You see, I know that the war had changed him.
This is when I can't stop thinking about -- all of the sacrifices that have been made so that we can continue with our day to day lives.
I know that in many ways every man and woman that has served has given up their innocence, their families and their dreams. I cannot find the words to express how deeply grateful I am to you and all those that have sacrificed. Thank you hardly seems to be enough, but please know that from me these words carry the magnitude of the heart ache I feel over the loss of my brother and the saddness I feel watching my family try to pick up the peices and go on in a world with out Sam.
So thank you. Thank you for your courage and all that you have sacrificed. I am forever indebted to you.
Becca Holder-Otte
Becca - you do know me.
I just wanted to share with others the Sam Holder that I knew. Telling complete strangers about your brother is the least I could do. By the way you described him his selfless act was something that he would do.
Not only is he my Hero but there is a companies worth of Marines out there who feel the same way.
Oh my gosh I realize now (sorry, the crash username threw me off) You should know that my mom absolutely cherishes the cards you send each mother's day.
Thank you for telling his story. Thank you for your sacrifice.
Becca
I added the picture of Sam today (11-15). To anyone in the Holder Family - If you don't have it please send me an email(webberpm@gmail.com) so I can get you a copy.
sincerely
Paul Webber
Thank you, Becca, thank you, Paul! I miss all words...
I miss Sam!
Jana
I linked to this wonderful post for a Memorial Day post over at Spousebuzz. The post is about our fallen Highlanders.
Here is the link:
http://www.spousebuzz.com/blog/2008/05/forever-young.html
Please know, Jana and Becca, that we remember them with you. Thanks to Crash Fistfight for such a beautiful post.
Carrie Costantini
It's good to see you are still around sir. I google Ssgt Holder's name IOT get some citation info for a research paper I am writing on the heroes of the Iraq war, and I came across your blog. Wanted to say hello and I hope that things are well.
Sgt Besteiro, IULTC, SOI(W)
nicholas.besteiro@usmc.mil
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I've linked to this post at Villainous Company.
We remember them today.
http://www.villainouscompany.com/vcblog/archives/2009/11/marines_of_the_2.html
Carrie Costantini
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