THE WALL OF FACES

Gary and I were classmates and Company mates at USNA. He was roommates with Lynn, McGlocklin, who perished in a helicopter accident on the East Coast. Gary was a brigade boxer, and kicked my butt a few times in the ring. He was a quiet, dedicated guy devoted to his fiancé. He was in the class ahead of me at Quantico, and so got to Vietnam before I did. he was in a battalion, second, Battalion fourth Marines, that was a celebrated battalion during the war. It is sad that the accident that killed him, and so many others was just that, part of the fog of war. RIP Gary!

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before

Dear Lt Gary Holtzclaw, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Officer. It was just 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.

Gary Earl Holtzclaw
DATE OF BIRTH: 17-Nov-44
HOME OF RECORD:
Corbin, Kentucky
Gary Holtzclaw graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1967. Less than a month after the mission that earned him the Silver Star, he was killed in a mid-air collision with another helicopter in Vietnam.

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: First Lieutenant
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Gary E. Holtzclaw (MCSN: 0-101637), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 April 1969, during Operation PURPLE MARTIN, Company F, while conducting a search and destroy operation, came under intense fire from a well-entrenched, heavily fortified North Vietnamese Army company and sustained several casualties. Without hesitation, First Lieutenant Holtzclaw advanced to the point of heaviest contact and began to direct the fire of his men against the enemy. During the ensuing fire fight, he repeatedly disregarded his own safety as he moved from one position to another, encouraging and directing his men in coordinating supporting fire on hostile targets. When the enemy attack subsided, First Lieutenant Holtzclaw supervised evacuation of casualties, reorganized his company, and continued to pursue the enemy. His unflagging determination and bold fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his extraordinary courage, superb leadership and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Holtzclaw upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

A very nice person. Same graduating class