James O. Holloway, Jr. was born on January 20, 1943. His home of record is Newark, NJ.
He served in the US Marine Corps and attained the rank of Lance Corporal (LCPL). He was assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines.
Holloway was killed in action on April 4, 1968.
He is buried in Heavenly Rest Memorial Park in East Hanover, NJ.
HOLLOWAY, JAMES O., JR. (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to James O. Holloway, Jr., Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Rifleman with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.
On 4 April 1968, Company A launched an assault against North Vietnamese Army positions on Hill 471 near Khe Sanh, and immediately came under heavy enemy small arms and mortar fire. Observing a Marine wounded and lying in an exposed area, Lance Corporal Holloway ignored the intense hostile fire as he ran across the fire-swept zone to the side of his injured comrade and began to move him to safety. When an enemy hand grenade fell next to the wounded man, he unhesitatingly threw himself over his fellow Marine to shield him, thus absorbing the fragments of the grenade when it exploded. Although Lance Corporal Holloway subsequently succumbed to his wounds, he saved the life of his comrade. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Holloway upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Home Town: Newark, New Jersey
Sources: Roger Liggon (veteran), various websites and NJVVMF, photo from VVMF.
12/17/2024
