MSG James Holt Comes Home After 48 Years (Your thoughts?)

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 18:50:20 -0400

Sgt. James Holt Remains Identified After 47 Years MIssing

Army Sgt. 1st Class James W. Holt, 26, of Hot Springs, Ark., was lost Feb. 7, 1968, in Vietnam. His remains were recently identified and will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a to be announced date.

The Texarkana Area Chapter # 278 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will be hosting a Memorial Service for James William Holt on Saturday, February 7, 47 years after he went missing. The service location and time will be announced at a later date.

They are requesting that anyone who has a bracelet bearing Holt’s name either get with a VVA # 278 member or be present at this service to present these bracelets to the family as is typically done in these returned cases. James William Holt is an “Honorary Life Member” of VVA # 278!

Holt was assigned to Company C, 5th Special Forces Group.

Account from POWnetwork.org of the night Holt went missing

Shortly after midnight on February 7, 1968, a combined NVA infantry-tank assault drove into Lang Vei. Two PT-76 tanks threatened the outer perimeter of the camp as infantry rushed behind them. SFC James W. Holt destroyed both tanks with shots from his 106mm recoilless rifle. More tanks came around the burning hulks of the first two tanks and began to roll over the 104th CIDG Company’s defensive positions. SSgt. Peter Tiroch, the assistant intelligence sergeant, ran over to Holt’s position and helped load the weapon. Holt quickly lined up a third tank in his sights and destroyed it with a direct hit. After a second shot at the tank, Holt and Tiroch left the weapons pit just before it was demolished by return cannon fire. Tiroch watched Holt run over to the ammunition bunker to look for some hand-held Light Anti-tank Weapons (LAWs). It was the last time Holt was ever seen.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 6:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 18:51:54 -0400

God Bless him and his family. His war and his families grief is finally over.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 7:08 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 19:08:42 -0400

Welcome home, MSG Holt. I'll come visit next time I'm in DC.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 14 at 2015 7:20 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Thu, 14 May 2015 19:20:09 -0400

Welcome home, Soldier! Rest in peace ... you've earned it.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 7:52 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 19:52:13 -0400

Welcome Home MSGT We will take the Watch from here.

De Opresso Liber

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 14 at 2015 8:15 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 14 May 2015 20:15:59 -0400

I worked with an NCO, SFC Lew Walton whose dad was a Green Beret, MIA in Vietnam. His remains were identified about 10 years ago and he was buried with full honors here in the RI Vets Cemetery. Can't begin to explain what it was like to participate in that ceremony, the emotions are just overwhelming.

Welcome home MSG Holt, Rest in peace!

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 14 at 2015 8:19 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Thu, 14 May 2015 20:19:59 -0400

RIP SFC Holt, and welcome home. Valhalla welcomes yet another warrior for it gates. May you and your family now find the peace that has been missing the past 47 years. Thank you for your service and God bless you.

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made May 14 at 2015 9:20 PM

MSgt Jamie Lyons — Thu, 14 May 2015 21:20:50 -0400

Rest in peace Sgt Holt and may your family find comfort knowing you are with our father the almighty. My family's prayers go out to yours. At ease...

Response by SPC Valerie Snyder made May 14 at 2015 10:09 PM

SPC Valerie Snyder — Thu, 14 May 2015 22:09:35 -0400

Welcome Home MSG Holt. RIP... May your family find peace in your return.

Response by SCPO John Croix made May 14 at 2015 10:09 PM

SCPO John Croix — Thu, 14 May 2015 22:09:26 -0400

I couldn't find the video, but here are some still pictures.

http://twitchy.com/2015/05/12/amazing-scene-police-stand-guard-as-vietnam-veterans-remains-returned-home-photos/

Welcome home my brother.

'Amazing scene': Police stand guard as Vietnam veteran's remains returned home [photos]

Welcome home.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 14 at 2015 10:16 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Thu, 14 May 2015 22:16:45 -0400

Welcome home.
RIP

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 11:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 23:50:15 -0400

Welcome home soldier R.I.P.