Randolph M. Holder Military person

Randolph Mitchell Holder (born September 20, 1918 in Jackson, Mississippi), was commissioned Ensign April 10, 1940 following flight training. Reporting to Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) in the famous aircraft carrier USS 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 June 4, 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, June 5, 1942, and was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism.

Personal facts

Birth dateSeptember 20, 1918
Birth place
Jackson Mississippi , United States
Date of deathJune 05, 1942
Place of death
Midway Atoll

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Military person

allegianceUnited States of America
award
Navy Cross
military operations
Battle of Midway
World War II
military branch
United States Navy
military unit
Torpedo Squadron 6
service start1940
service end1942

Randolph M. Holder on Wikipedia