Jack Holder Obituary

The Jack Holder obituary served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the WWII generation.

Jack Holder is a decorated World War II flyer and survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack. Sadly, he is no longer with us. Holder’s passing serves as a reminder of the dwindling number of Pearl Harbor survivors and the importance of preserving their stories.

He spent his life honoring the memory of his fallen comrades and was a beloved figure in the Pearl Harbor survivor community. This article reflects on Holder’s life and service to his country and the impact of his passing on future generations.

Jack Holder Obituary

Jack Holder passed away on March 25, 2023, at 101. Darlene Tryon, a close friend and the executor of Holder’s estate, confirmed his death.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial also announced his passing. Holder was born in Gunter, Texas, in 1921, and he joined the Navy in 1940 when he was 18.

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He was stationed at Ford Island within Oahu’s Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked the U.S. naval base on December 7, 1941. In the attack’s aftermath, he spent three days operating a makeshift machine gun pit, a ditch lined with sandbags.

Jack Holder Obituary
The Jack Holder obituary served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the WWII generation. (Source: KTAR News)

He vividly remembered the first bomb that fell on Pearl Harbor, landing only 100 yards away. He saw his fellow service members swimming through burning oil in the water, and he had to dive into a ditch to avoid gunfire.

He survived the attack, fought in the Battle of Midway, and flew missions over Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands before being transferred to England and flying missions along the French coast and the English Channel.

After his military service, Holder flew for 25 years as a corporate and commercial pilot and moved to an Arizona retirement community. He became an avid WWII educator and a regular at Pearl Harbor commemorations, museums, and schools.

In December 2021, a nonprofit organization took Holder on an honor flight out of Mesa’s Falcon Field to celebrate his 100th birthday. Holder was a beloved figure in the Pearl Harbor survivor community and among his friends and family.

An early April memorial service is planned for Holder in Phoenix, and he will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery near the nation’s capital later.

USS Arizona Pearl Harbor Survivor Death Cause

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, killing 2,400 service members. The USS Arizona alone lost 1,177 sailors and Marines, nearly half the death toll.

The attack launched the U.S. into World War II, and the nation mobilized its resources and workforce to fight against the Axis powers. Jack Holder was one of the survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack.

He spent his life honoring the memory of his fallen comrades. Holder received two distinguished flying cross medals, six air medals, a presidential citation, and six commendation medals in his career before being honorably discharged in 1948.

Jack Holder Obituary
Jack Holder is a decorated World War II flyer and survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack. (Source: Military.com)

His passing reminds us that the WWII generation is leaving us, and we must honor their sacrifice and service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t know how many Pearl Harbor survivors live, but their number is dwindling yearly.

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We must preserve their stories and experiences for future generations to learn from and appreciate. In conclusion, Jack Holder was a hero and a patriot, and his passing was a loss to the nation and the world.

We must honor his memory and the memory of all Pearl Harbor survivors and WWII veterans by continuing to educate ourselves and others about their sacrifices and contributions. Rest in peace, Jack Holder.

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