Randolph M. Holder

Infobox Military Person
name = Randolph Mitchell Holder
born = birth date|1918|9|20
died = death date and age|1942|6|5|1918|9|20
placeofbirth = Jackson, Mississippi
placeofdeath = Midway Atoll


caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1940–1942
rank = Lieutenant (j.g.)
branch = United States Navy
commands =
unit = Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6)
battles = World War II *Battle of Midway
awards = Navy Cross (posthumous)
laterwork =

Randolph Mitchell Holder was born 20 September 1918 in Jackson, Mississippi, and was commissioned Ensign 10 April 1940 following flight training. Reporting to Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) in the famous aircraft carrier "Enterprise" (CV-6), he took part in the early carrier operations in the critical months following the attack on Pearl Harbor and then fought in the pivotal Battle of Midway, first of the great American successes in the sea war. In the gallant attack of the torpedo planes early on 4 June 1942, Holder and his comrades attacked the Japanese ships without fighter cover. Though Holder and many others were shot down while pressing this attack, they forced radical maneuvers and diverted Japanese air cover so as to make the later raids lethal to the enemy fleet. Lieutenant (j.g.) Holder was presumed dead next day, 5 June 1942, and was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism.

Namesake

In 1944, the destroyer escort USS "Holder" (DE-401) was named in his honor; after DE-401's loss, the destroyer USS "Holder" (DD-819) received a similar honor in 1945.

ee also

References

:DANFS

Persondata
NAME= Holder, Randolph Mitchell
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=American Navy officer
DATE OF BIRTH= September 20, 1918
PLACE OF BIRTH= Jackson, Mississippi, United States
DATE OF DEATH= June 5, 1942
PLACE OF DEATH= Midway Atoll