THE WALL OF FACES

We grew up together, Fred. You, Jane, Pete and I. So many holidays honoring service members shared over the years at the Lebanon and the Whitehouse Station parades. Honor to you for your service and cherished memories for our years of family celebrations.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from those who knew you are moving and reflect their admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

"New Jersey 2d Lt. Co. C 501 INF. 101 ABN Div. Vietnam BSM & OCL-PH."
∼
Lt. Frederick Holjes was born on February 10, 1945 in Lebanon, New Jersey . He lived at 6 Cokesbury Road also in Lebanon.
He was a Boy Scout and a member of the Lebanon Reformed Church.
He Graduated from North Hunterdon High School and The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina where he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant.

KIA during the Tet Offensive
Awarded The Bronze Star Medal and The Purple Heart with An Oak Leaf Cluster Medal (twice awarded a Purple Heart Medal).
During the Tet Offensive, on March 22, 1968, without warning, a massive North Vietnamese barrage slammed into Khe Sanh. More than 1,000 rounds hit the base, at a rate of a hundred every hour. At the same time, electronic sensors around Khe Sanh indicated Vietcong troop movements. American forces replied with heavy bombing.
Lt. Holjes was wounded when he was shot by sniper fire in the arm in a previous engagement. He recovered in a hospital in Japan and returned to duty. He was killed in the mortar attack from shell fragmentation in Khe Shan on March 22, 1968 during the Tet Offensive.

Lt. Holjes was survived by his parents, a sister Jane at home, his maternal grandfather, Willard R. Young, Sr.
Lt. Holjes and Miss Carolyn Griffith of Cottageville, South Carolina announced their engagement in December 1967.
The honor guard at his service in Lebanon was Lt. Richard Van Vleet he was his roommate at The Citadel. The graduated together in June 1967.

Holjes-Sheppard Memorial Park, in Lebanon, N.J., is named in honor of Lt. Frederick Young Holjes and Warrant Officer and helicopter pilot Robert Porter Sheppard serviceman who lost their lives in Vietnam in 1968 and 1970 respectively.

Dear Lt Frederick Holjes, Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantry Unit Commander. Next week is Independence Day, and there is no better time to honor you. Please watch over the USA, it still needs your strength. Rest in peace with the angels.

I was a classmate of Fred from kindergarten through high school. Fred was studiese, loyal and person who you could always count on. He will always be remembered for given the ultimate sacrifice.