The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ralph Taylor Holland (ASN: 0-441843), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 10 May 1945. Captain Holland was a combat crew member of the lead airplane of a formation of B-29 aircraft on a bombardment mission against the O’Shima, Japan, naval oil storage center. Assigned to the important task of touching off the bombing by his own release of projectiles, his crew successfully navigated the long over-water flight to the objective and made assembly with the formation. Reaching the target through severe opposition, his crew located the aiming point accurately, dropping their bombs with such synchronization that eighty-five percent of the entire formation’s explosives struck within 1,000 feet of the aiming point. The leadership and determination of Captain Holland, together with his superior airmanship, reflects great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
August 19, 1974 – August 31, 1975
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-651 (August 4, 1974)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Ralph Taylor Holland, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Air Force Logistics Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, during the period from 19 August 1974 through 31 August 1975. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Holland culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
November 17, 1971 – December 31, 1972
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-55 (December 31, 1972)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Ralph Taylor Holland, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Holland distinguished himself as Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, and as Deputy Commander, SEVENTH Air Force, from 17 November 1971 to 31 December 1972. In these key critical and demanding assignments, General Holland provided the outstanding leadership, managerial ability, exceptional initiative, and logistical/operational knowledge required to the successful accomplishment of the SEVENTH Air Force mission in Southeast Asia. General Holland’s aggressive and astute leadership during a period of fluid mission requirements and rapidly accelerating phasedown of personnel and material resources contributed immensely to the successful accomplishment of Free World objectives in Southeast Asia. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Holland reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
CaptainRegiment:
XX Bomber CommandDivision:
20th Air ForceAction Date:
June 9, 1945
Headquarters, 20th Air Force, General Orders No. 64 (September 15, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ralph Taylor Holland (ASN: 0-441843), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 9 June 1945. Captain Holland was a combat crew member of the lead B-29 aircraft on a mission from a base in the Marianas against the Kawanishi aircraft factory, Narue plant, Armagasaki, Japan. Despite heavy cloud cover he led the formation on an exceptional bombing run, securing direct hits on the objective. This resulted in a damage assessment of sixty-seven percent of the factory destroyed on this number one priority target. His actions demonstrate outstanding professional skill and devotion to duty, reflecting great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
August 10, 1969 – November 1, 1971
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-771 (December 17, 1971)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Ralph Taylor Holland, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Vice Commander of the Warner Robins Air Material Area at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, during the period from 10 August 1969 through 1 November 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Holland and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
CaptainRegiment:
XX Bomber CommandDivision:
20th Air ForceAction Date:
May 28, 1944 – January 9, 1945
Headquarters, 20th Air Force, General Orders No. 22 (February 22, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ralph Taylor Holland (ASN: 0-441843), United States Army Air Forces, for outstanding and meritorious achievement while participating in operational and/or combat flights from bases in India to bases in China and return, and from bases in China on missions over enemy territory where enemy fire was probable and expected during the period from 28 May 1944 through 9 January 1945. Captain Holland accomplished his mission with determination above and beyond that normally expected. He participated in operational and/or combat flights over extremely rugged terrain where unfavorable weather made flying hazardous and exhibited untiring energy and meticulous care while flying. Undaunted by the many hazards faced regularly and continually, he performed his duties in such a manner and to reflect great credit to this Command and to the Army Air Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
August 1, 1968 – August 1969
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Ralph Taylor Holland, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of the 810th Strategic Aerospace Division, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, during the period from August 1968 through August 1969. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Holland and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 11, 1966 – July 19, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Ralph Taylor Holland, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 7th Bombardment Wing, Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, from 11 July 1966 to 30 June 1967, and as Commander, 42d Air Division, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, from then until 19 July 1968. In these important assignments, the exemplary ability, leadership, and devotion to duty of Colonel Holland were significant contributing factors in maintaining the combat readiness of the Strategic Air Command. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Holland reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 24, 1965 – July 2, 1966
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-203 (August 1, 1966)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Ralph Taylor Holland, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander Headquarters, 3d Air Division, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, from 24 June 1965 to 2 July 1966. During this period, Colonel Holland displayed his many and varied outstanding talents as a commander, manager, staff officer, and military leader assisting the commander, 3d Air Division, in the direction and supervision of the division’s forces engaged in combat operations against the Viet Cong in Southeast Asia. The formulation of policies, operating procedures and new construction associated with the build up of the 3d Air Division wartime forces and the success thereof were due to Colonel Holland’s exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Holland reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.