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November 23, 2019
Honor Mission
William Christopher Holmes, POW/MIA, KIA
USA - Korea
Dulles, VA/Martinsburg, WV - 21 & 23 Nov 19
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ABOUT THE MISSION:
The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to stand in silent Honor and Respect for SGT William Christopher Holmes, 21, U.S. Army, Korean War KIA/MIA as he is returned home for his final rest.
According to the DPAA and the Korean War Project, Holmes, called Billy by those who knew him well, was a member of Heavy Tank Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He’d been in Korea since August of 1950.
Early in 1951, Holmes was seriously wounded in battle. According to a book on Smyth County service personnel killed in action, on Jan. 14, 1951, “when the enemy opened fire on both sides of his tank section, Pvt. Holmes voluntarily mounted a tank and manned the .50 caliber machine gun killing 40-50 of the enemy.”
Despite his injuries, the Smyth County soldier returned to duty just two weeks later on Jan 30.
The husband, son and brother continued his service until that day about eight months later when his unit took part in a patrol near the Iron Triangle in the present-day Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. A firefight ensued, and Sgt. Holmes was killed near Korisil, North Korea on September 21, 1951 from a land mine blast.
For his leadership and heroic actions, Holmes was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean War Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
PRIMARY STAGING DETAILS: 11-21-19
Staging Time: 1:30 PM
Cell Phone Parking Lot
Dulles International Airport
1 Saarinen Dr.
Dulles, Virginia 20166
https://tinyurl.com/s5eknxs
Ride Captain:
Virginia RC Bob Pope (703-582-4414) is the RCIC for the flag line at Dulles.
Special Instructions:
Mission briefing at 1:45 PM. Additional information and instructions will be provided at that time.
You MUST be present for the briefing to participate in the mission.
After Billy is transferred to the hearse, those who so desire may escort him to the Rosedale Funeral Home, 917 Co Rte 45/6, Martinsburg, WV, a distance of approximately 55 miles.
Upon arrival at the funeral home, our flag line will be set as Billy is removed and taken inside.
Flags & Water:
Flags will not be provided
Large Bike Flags will NOT be needed.
Water WILL NOT be provided, please bring your own.
STAGING #2 DETAILS: 11-23-19
Staging Time: 08:30 AM
Rosedale Funeral Home
917 Co Rte 45/6
Martinsburg, West Virginia 25404
https://tinyurl.com/skez5v2
Ride Captain:
Robert Lohr (WDE24DC@yahoo.com) is the RCIC.
Special Instructions:
Mission briefing at 8:45 AM.
Flag line will be in place NLT 9:00 AM and maintained the start of services at 10:00 AM.
At the conclusion of services, flag line will be set for his dignified transfer to the hearse for his final journey.
Escort will be provided to the cemetery in Middleway, WV.
Flags & Water:
Flags will not be provided
Large Bike Flags will NOT be needed.
Water WILL NOT be provided, please bring your own.
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Submitted By: Susan Whitlatch
Position: West Virginia Mission Submitter
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