USMC LCPL Johnny Samuel Holt
Birth: Jan. 18, 1948 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC
Death: Jan. 22, 1969 Quang Nam, Vietnam.
US Marine LCPL Johnny Samuel Holt native of Charlotte, NC was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Johnny died from small arms fire or grenade. On 22 Jan 1969 an engineer team from C Company, 1st Engineer Battalion was conducting mine sweeping operations along Highway 540 about 8 kilometers south-southwest of Da Nang, Viet Nam. H&S Company, 1/7 Marines provided the engineers with an infantry security force. An ambush on the sweep team developed into a short but vicious firefight which resulted in the deaths of five Marines and one Navy Corpsman: LCpl Johnny S. Holt was one of those killed.
A fellow Marine recruit reported that he joined the Marines in January 1968 and went to Paris Island in platoon 304 with 80 other recruits. One night, our last week on the island, the Drill Instructor called a “SCHOOL CIRCLE” where gathered around to listen to a lecture. This lecture was different from the ones we usually hear. He said “I want all you to look around and remember the faces of your fellow Marines, because some of you are not going to make it home from Vietnam”. Johnny Holt was one of five listening to the lecture who died for their country.
He was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Alexander Jr., of Charlotte, NC. He served with Charlie Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 3rd MAF. He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
Burial: York Memorial Park Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.
(Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744; finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites
; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates)
