I remember William Holle very well, he was a quiet and well mannered young man. Holle did speak a lot of his family and especially his wife. I remember him always writing letters home to his family. Many of us would get these CARE packages from home and we would all share them with all the guys in the Unit. It seemed like Holle and I would always get the most packages.

 

I remember the day Holle was accidentally killed, that day several of us decided to meet at this little roadside store at the end of the day. It was just a little place where kids sold lemonade to the troops, it reminded us of home and the lemonade was really good in 120 degree heat. William enjoyed helping these kids. I believe that day my partner was Billy Zepp of Pittsburgh and Holle's was Frank Smith of Kansas City. It may be just the opposite. Holle's partner had just exited the jeep when a Navy Seabee earthmover accidentally backed over the jeep with William Holle sitting in the driver's seat. He was killed instantly.

 

We were about 5 miles away heading to meet up with Holle, we heard from Dispatch to proceed to that location immediately as there was an emergency in progress. 

 

William Holle was a good man, he served his country with pride, and he did his duty. Thank you William for your service, you are a great American.

 

Tony Sills, 68-69 

Company C 504th MP BN

Camp Evans, Quang Tri, and Phu Bai

INFORMATION FOUND AT VIETNAM VETERANS

MEMORIAL FUND WEBSITE (www.vvmf.org)

Let us not forget Specialist Four John William Holle, casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army Selective Service, SP4 Holle served our country until July 1st, 1969 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was married. John died when his vehicle crashed. His body was recovered. John was born on March 6th, 1948 in New Caney, Texas.

SP4 Holle is on panel 21W, line 042 of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.