Thomas J. Holden was born on August 23, 1941. His home of record is Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. He attended St. Mary’s High School in Rutherford. He played varsity football, baseball and basketball. Upon graduation from St. Mary’s, Thomas attended Bullis Prep in Silver Springs, MD.
Holden was accepted into the US Naval Academy at Annapolis. He was a varsity guard on the Navy football team and played in the 1963 Cotton Bowl. He graduated in 1963.
Holden served in the US Marine Corps and attained the rank of First Lieutenant (1LT).
Holden was killed in action on October 22, 1966, while leading a patrol against guerillas near Danang.
The following is taken from The Thomas J. Holden Memorial Award presentation at the annual St. Mary’s Most Valuable Player of the Homecoming Game dinner.
Thomas J. Holden graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1959. While attending St. Mary’s, he participated and earned nine varsity letters in the sports of baseball, basketball and football. He was a senior class officer, a member of the Journalism Club, and on the staff of the school paper, The Corona.
The sport in which he excelled most was football. As a guard and linebacker, his determination was a source of inspiration to all who were privileged to play along side him. A testament of his ability, heart and desire can best be told with the story of a game against Don Bosco High School. With the score tied 6-6 at halftime and the offense not moving the ball, Tommy was switched to halfback, a position he had never played, and he led the Gaels to victory. He scored 3 touchdowns, gained over 180 yards rushing, and even had a touchdown called back.
After graduating from St. Mary’s, Tom had to improve his speed and size in order to pursue his dream of playing football and attending the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He first enrolled at Bulles Prep School in Virginia in preparation for the Academy. At Annapolis, it was Tom’s fierce determination and aggressiveness, which helped coaches and teammates overlook his small physical stature and earn him a place for three years on the Naval Academy varsity football team.
His final football game at Navy was in the 1964 Cotton Bowl, where he started at linebacker. The game pitted the #2 ranked navy team against the nation’s #1 ranked team, University of Texas. He was credited with 12 unassisted tackles.
Upon graduation from Annapolis in 1964, Tom accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. For two years he continued to play football for the base team at Quantico, VA. He was honored both years by being selected to the All Marine First Team as linebacker.
In January of 1966, he was assigned as a First Lieutenant to a post in Vietnam. While there, he was awarded two Silver Stars for bravery. One, when he took charge of a platoon after his commander was wounded in battle. The second Silver Star was awarded posthumously. He was leading a patrol against a gorilla force near Da Nang, and at the head of his group, he was killed by a Vietcong shotgun. It was October 22, 1966.
His determination, competitiveness and aggressive spirit on the football field were the embodiment of his attitude and approach toward defending his country in Vietnam. For these reasons, we at St. Mary’s, present this award annually to celebrate and remind us of the life, love, and spirit that was Thomas J. Holden, our hero.
The following is an excerpt from the autobiography of Roger Staubach, former Dallas Cowboy and member of the NFL’s Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a teammate of Thomas J. Holden at the Naval Academy. The book is entitled, Roger Staubach – First Down, Lifetime to Go.
“He was some guy. He was a guard on offense, but played linebacker on defense at the Academy. He was one of those real hard-nosed guys, all guts – the kind of guy you find on the specialty teams in Pro Football.”
Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Thomas James Holden (MCSN: 0-89419), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company G, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam on 23 August 1966. During Operation ALLEGHENY, First Lieutenant Holden’s platoon was dispatched to relieve a platoon sized patrol which was pinned down by heavy crossfire from enemy automatic weapons. Enemy strength was estimated at nearly sixty and the ambush had occurred just 200 meters from the Company perimeter. As his platoon neared the ambush site, it was also brought under intense automatic weapons fire, coupled with grenades and M-79 rounds thrown and fired from the underbrush and the trees to the front and both flanks. Realizing the seriousness of their situation, First Lieutenant Holden began moving from man to man and squad to squad, encouraging them forward to regain the momentum of the assault. Fearlessly exposing himself to enemy fire, he led his men in a furious attack, routing the enemy and rescuing the beleaguered patrol. His inspiring leadership, aggressive fighting spirit and courageous initiative upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: August 23, 1966
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Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Thomas James Holden (MCSN: 0-89419), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Executive Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Ap Ba Area in the Republic of Vietnam on 22 October 1966. During an assault through open rice paddies in a torrential rain, the Company’s Third Platoon became pinned down by a heavy volume of small-arms and automatic weapons fire. First Lieutenant Holden moved aggressively to aid the Platoon. Upon learning that both the Platoon Commander and the Platoon Sergeant had been wounded, he took command of the platoon and directed the base of fire in an attempt to gain superiority over the enemy while simultaneously directing the extraction of that portion of the platoon which was pinned down. Although constantly exposed to the heavy volume of accurate enemy fire, he resolutely continued in the attack until he fell, mortally wounded. By his outstanding leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Holden upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: October 22, 1966
Sources: Tom Tiefenbacher (friend), various websites, newspaper clippings and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
