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Randolph Mitchell Holder was born 20 September 1918 in Jackson, Miss., and was commissioned Ensign 10 April 1940 following flight training. Reporting to Torpedo Squadron 6 in
the famous carrier Enterprise, he took part in the early carrier operations in the critical months following 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 04 June 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, 05 June 1942, and was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his heroism.
USS Holder (DE 401) (January - September 1944) was the first ship to be named in his honor, she was succeeded by DD-819 (1946-1976).
(Photo Courtesy of the USS Holder Association thanks to Doug Dame) |
Bill Gonyo
Downey, Cal.
Assoc. Researcher
Navsource |
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USS Menges (DE 320) (left) and Holder (right) in drydock prior to their "melding." Note the welded repair plate across Menges' stern
area which was used during her tow across the Atlantic.
(U.S. Navy Photo) |
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Late 1944 photo of the recently decommissioned USS Holder (DE 401) and the USS Menges (DE 320) dry docked together at the New York Navy Yard. At
this time the stern of the Holder was used to repair the destroyed stern of the Menges.
(U.S. Navy photo) |
Mike Green
Port Angeles, Wash. |
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ex-USS Holder's hulk mothballed, prior to being sold for scrap in 1947. She had been torpedoed amidships in 1944, and cannibalized. Note huge patch amidships.
Her hulk had apparently been used as some kind of weapons test platform, as she is carrying a 5"/38 gun, Mk33 and Mk37 gun directors and other devices not fitted when she was active.
(U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 81348, courtesy of D. M. McPherson, 1974 from the Naval History and
Heritage Command) |
