Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    February 6 & 7, 1968

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 1913 (April 25, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class James William Holt (ASN: RA-430769839), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Detachment A-101, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Hold distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 and 7 February 1968 while serving as a Medic with the Special Forces during an attack on the camp at Lang Vei. North Vietnamese Army forces launched a coordinated tank and infantry attack on the compound late in the evening of 6 February and inflicted numerous casualties on the defenders. Heedless of bullets striking all around him, Sergeant Holt dashed across the compound to treat the wounded and move them to safety. A recoilless rifle position was silenced by the enemy barrage, and he sprinted to the weapon to resume the firing. Tank cannon and machine gun fire was concentrated on his position, but he unflinchingly delivered accurate return fire, destroying two tanks before he ran out of ammunition. As he moved to secure more ammunition, his position was destroyed by a direct hit from a cannon round. Sergeant Holt then supplied himself with light anti-tank weapons and charged into the face of the enemy. Two tanks broke through the inner command perimeter, and he delivered deadly fire on them, scoring a direct hit on one of the armored vehicles. Sergeant First Class Holt’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.