- SURNAME
Holdren
- FORENAME
Lawrence Homer
- UNIT
1 Raider Bn (Company E)
- RANK
Gunnery Sergeant
- NUMBER
229538
- AWARD
Navy Cross
- PLACE
Guadalcanal 1942
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 29.12.1909, Pond Gap, West Virginia
resided Ward, West Virginia
father Homer Ballard Holdren (1886-1948)
mother Miriam (nee Burnette) Holdren (1886-1974)
attended East Bank High School
12.08.1930 entered service San Diego, California
died 07.05.1969 (Aged 59) Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, USA
buried Montgomery Memorial Park, London, Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA
CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Platoon Sergeant Lawrence H. Holdren (MCSN: 229538), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company E, FIRST Marine Raider Battalion during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 12 - 13 September 1942. Commanding a section of machine guns during a savage night engagement on Lunga Ridge, Platoon Sergeant Holdren, although his gun positions were surrounded by the enemy after the withdrawal of an adjacent friendly unit, courageously rallied his men and with fierce tenacity held his strategic post for more than nine hours. Through his skillful direction of their accurate gunfire, he enabled his command to repel several vicious enemy attacks with severe damage to the hostile forces, and thus gained invaluable time for his battalion in the preparation of vital new lines. Platoon Sergeant Holdren's heroic conduct and valiant devotion to duty under extremely hazardous conditions were an inspiration to his comrades and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/7987FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94077521/lawrence-homer-holdren
Last edited by a moderator:
