Gary Olson Holsinger was 26 years old when he died in military service near Hue, Vietnam. He began his military career on July 26, 1967. He arrived in Vietnam on 21 December 1967, just 5 months after his enlistment. He was a rifleman in the Army, B Company, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry. He was reported missing in action on 4 March 1967. In mid March, 1967, his family was notified that his body had been located, and he had been mortally wounded during a combat mission near Hue, Vietnam. Sadly, he was killed just 7 months and 4 days after he first reported for duty. Corporal Holsinger received the Silver Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Badge with Machine Gun bar, and Sharpshooter Badge with rifle and pistol bar. His remains were returned home to Scioto County, Ohio, where he was laid to rest in McKendree Cemetery. He was survived by his mother, Juanita Holsinger; 3 sisters - Roberta Holsinger Lavender, Barbara Welty, and Deborah Bunger - and several nieces and nephews. One son, Gary Olson Holsinger, Jr. preceeded him death. He is still missed by all of his family and friends. Thanks to this memorial, he will never be forgotten. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY HEADQUARTERS 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION APO SAN FRANCISCO 96490 17 May 1968 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 3484 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. HOLSINGER, GARY O. US51645354 CORPORAL (THEN PRIVATE FIRST CLASS) Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry Awarded: Silver Star Date action: 4 February 1968 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Holsinger distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action 4 February 1968, while serving as a rifleman with Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry during a combat mission near Hue, Republic of Vietnam. When his unit became heavily engaged with a large enemy force, Private First Class Holsinger exposed himself to the hostile fire as he placed effective suppressive fire on the assaulting enemy force. While engaging the enemy, Private First Class Holsinger was mortally wounded, but his action inflicted numerous hostile casualities and contributed greatly to the successful repulsion of the enemy attack. Private First Class Holsinger's gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918. FOR THE COMMANDER: CONRAD L. STANSBERRY COLONEL, GS Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: DONALD W. CONNELLY LTC, AGC Adjutant General

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, lost eleven men killed in an action in the vicinity of Thon Que Chu, Thua Thien Province, on 04 February 1968. Because they were required to conduct a night march through enemy-held terrain the battalion was unable to bring out their dead at the time, but the bodies were later recovered. A twelth man died two days later of wounds received. The twelve men were B Co, 2nd Bn, 12th Cavalry: SSG Curtis R. Patton, Eastville, VA (Silver Star) CPL Gary O. Holsinger, New Boston, OH (Silver Star) CPL Bruce N. Knox, Madison, WI SP4 Curtis D. Scowden, St Louis, MO (DoW 02/06/1968) C Co, 2nd Bn, 12th Cavalry: SGT Henry E. Casias, Trinidad, CO CPL August H. Genzler, St Louis, MO CPL Charles H. Graham, West Memphis, AR D Co, 2nd Bn, 12th Cavalry: SGT Robert E. Hopkins, Willimantic, CT SGT Russell E. Kephart, Lewistown, PA SGT Thomas W. Loos, Perryville, MO (Silver Star) CPL Gary M. Diaz, Redondo Beach, CA (Silver Star) C Btry, 1st Bn, 77th Artillery: CPL Larry J. Blankenship, Midfield, AL (with Bravo 1/12)

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