Captain Nelson Miles Holderman was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions between October 2 and 8, 1918 northeast of Binarville, in the Argonne Forest, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with 307th Infantry, 77th Division. Holderman was 32 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.
Holderman was born on November 10, 1885 in Trumbull, Clay County, Nebraska. His Medal of Honor is credited to Santa Ana, Orange County, California. Holderman died on September 3, 1953 in Napa, California, at the age of 67. He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.
Holderman is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 142 credited to California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Capt. Holderman commanded a company of a battalion which was cut off and surrounded by the enemy. He was wounded on 4, 5, and 7 October, but throughout the entire period, suffering great pain and subjected to fire of every character, he continued personally to lead and encourage the officers and men under his command with unflinching courage and with distinguished success. On 6 October, in a wounded condition, he rushed through enemy machine-gun and shell fire and carried two wounded men to a place of safety.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
He was wounded on 4, 5, and 7 October, but throughout the entire period, suffering great pain and subjected to fire of every character, he continued personally to lead and encourage the officers and men under his command with unflinching courage and with distinguished success.
- Age at death: 67
- Resting place: Golden Gate National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Nelson Miles Holderman received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in California →
Timeline
- November 10, 1885Born in Trumbull, Clay County, Nebraska
- October 2 - 8, 1918Act of valor — northeast of Binarville, in the Argonne Forest, FranceAge 32. 307th Infantry, 77th Division
- September 3, 1953Died in Napa, CaliforniaAge 67.
- Resting placeGolden Gate National CemeterySan Bruno, California
Biography
Colonel Nelson Miles Holderman (November 10, 1885 – September 3, 1953) was a United States Army officer, most notable for commanding a rifle company of the Lost Battalion during World War I for which he received the Medal of Honor. He was considered by many to be one of the most decorated American soldiers of the war.
From the Wikipedia article “Nelson M. Holderman”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
