Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Kenneth
Henri
Holden
December 11, 1891

–

April 29, 1969

Cemetery:

Forest Lawn Cemetery

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    12th Aero Squadron

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 2, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Kenneth Henri Holden, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 12th Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near the Argonne, France, 2 November 1918. While on an Infantry contact mission Lieutenant Holden and his observer were attacked by four enemy planes and driven back, but, realizing the importance of their mission, deliberately returned and attacked the four planes, sending one to the earth and driving the others away. Unmindful of the damaged condition of their plane and of their own danger, they then flew for an hour within 100 meters of the ground, through a continuous heavy machine-gun fire, until they had accurately located our front-line position.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    12th Aero Squadron

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 19, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 2 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Air Service) Kenneth H. Holden, United States Army Air Service, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Holden distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 12th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Buzancy, France, 19 July 1918, in protecting a photographic mission.