Vietnam War MIA Soldier buried at Arlington

By Ms. Lisa Ferdinando (ARNEWS Org Page)May 15, 2015

Vietnam War MIA Soldier buried at Arlington
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers, with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), are seen in the foreground as the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" participates in the funeral of Master Sgt. James W. Holt, who went missing and was presumed killed in action during the Vi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Vietnam War MIA Soldier buried at Arlington
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The colors team, with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), is seen at the full military honors funeral for Army Master Sgt. James W. Holt, Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 14, 2015. Holt went missing and was presumed killed in action d... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Vietnam War MIA Soldier buried at Arlington
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers, with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), escort the casket of Army Master Sgt. James W. Holt to the burial site in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 14, 2015. Holt went missing and was presumed killed in action during the Vie... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Vietnam War MIA Soldier buried at Arlington
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers, with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), carry the casket of Army Master Sgt. James W. Holt, who went missing and was presumed killed in action during the Vietnam War. Holt was buried with full military honors at Arlington Nation... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Vietnam War MIA Soldier buried at Arlington
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers, with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), fold the flag draped over the casket of Army Master Sgt. James W. Holt, who went missing and was presumed killed in action during the Vietnam War. Holt was buried with full military honors... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Vietnam War MIA Soldier buried at Arlington
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ARLINGTON, Va. (Army News Service, May 14, 2015) --With full military honors, Master Sgt. James W. Holt, who was missing and presumed killed in action during the Vietnam War, was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, May 14.

The flag-draped casket was carried on a caisson and escorted by Soldiers, from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). The solemn procession moved past the neat rows of white headstones before stopping at the burial site on a grassy hill overlooking the nation's capital.

Holt, 26, was assigned to Company C, 5th Special Forces Group. He was last seen, Feb. 7, 1968, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam.

He was reported as missing in action following the battle. A military review board later amended his status to presumed killed in action. His remains were recently identified and returned to his family for burial.

SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE

The tribute to Holt included a colors team, the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," and a firing party, which shot off three rifle volleys.

Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Lewis presented flags to Holt's former wife, Linda Winslow, and daughters, Rebecca Holt and Jessica Holt. Chaplain (Capt.) John Scott presided over the funeral.

Holt, who was from Hope, Arkansas, was laid to rest in Section 57.

REMAINS IDENTIFIED

Vietnam turned over remains believed to be those of a U.S. Service member, June 21, 1989. Due to the technology at that time, the remains could not be identified.

Scientists, from the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including two forms of DNA analysis, in the identification of Holt's remains.

According to the Department of Defense, 1,627 U.S. Service members remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

Related Links:

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Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency website

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