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| Pvt. Julian Holley, 3rd Infantry Division, was killed during a major German attack at Anzio. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=60030075 https://history.army.mil/brochures/anzio/72-19.htm |
Julian Swanson Holley never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on October 23, 1917 in Virginia. His parents Coleman and Tessie were also both born in Virginia. His father worked as a farmer. Julian had two younger sisters and three younger brothers, one of whom also served in the army during World War 2. By 1940 Julian had completed one year of high school. He worked in a spinning room and still lived at home.
He enlisted in the army on December 23, 1942 and became a private in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Pvt. Since Holley enlisted after the 3rd ID was already in North Africa, he joined his unit later as a replacement. Perhaps it was in time for the 3rd ID's involvement attacking Sicily and Salerno. For sure he was with E Company when it landed on Anzio on January 22, 1944.
On February 29, 1944 The Germans launched an unsuccessful assault sending three divisions to attack the 3rd Infantry Division. It was a costly victory for the Americans. The 3rd Infantry Division suffered more than 900 casualties. One of those killed was Pvt. Holley.
His grave is at Highland Burial Park in Danville, Virginia.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100
Thank you for posting this to honor my husbands brother. Two corrections I wanted to mention the fact that his mothers name was Lessie, not Tessie. Also one of his sisters was his twin Elizabeth. On the day he was killed she had a dream he was killed and sat up in bed screaming. It was a six weeks or so before they got confirmation of it. Thanks again, our entire family is proud of it.
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