Holland Hope graduated from McMurray University in Abilene, Texas, in 1940, and was ordained as a United Methodist minister. He joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and served with the Americal Division in the Philippine Islands during the Cebu Campaign. In 1947 he joined the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in Japan, deploying with the regiment to South Korea after the outbreak of war in 1950. In October 1950, he joined the 187th in the first combat jump at Such’on, North Korea, an mission to rescue American prisoners of war. He suffered a fractured vertebra from the jump, but ignored his pain for two weeks to stay in the line with his men, earning a Silver Star before he had to be evacuated. He also received the distinction of being one of the rare chaplains in history to be awarded the Combat InfantrymanÕs Badge. After recovery, he returned to Korea for a second tour of duty with the 40th Infantry Division and 7th Infantry Division. During the Vietnam War he served two tours of combat duty with II Field Force, and as Regimental Chaplain of the 503d Airborne Infantry. He qualified with Special Forces and served as Senior Chaplain with the 77th and 10th Special Forces in Bad Tolz, Germany. After retiring from the military, he pastored a small Methodist church near Fort Bliss, Texas.