KIA Iwo Jima, PFC Frank E. Holec USMC-R

[American Heritage]

Remembering with much respect and admiration PFC Frank Edward Holec USMC of Yakima, WA who was wounded twice on Iwo Jima and died from his second wound on 3 March 1945. God Bless you PFC Holec and Semper Fi.

 

 

[American Heritage]

Original copy of service credentials found with uniform

 

 

[uplandmod]

Very nice! RIP marine!

[American Heritage]

Reverse side of document

 

 

[American Heritage]

Certificate from The President

 

[American Heritage]

letter to mother about his father

 

[American Heritage]

Uniform with original jump wings and framed letter from President FDR, in grateful memory of Frank E. Holec USMC who died at Iwo Jima in the service of his country.

 

The citation reads:

 

"he stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives. And through it, he lives - in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men."

 

 

[uplandmod]

Incredible!

[American Heritage]

closer pic of Pres. FDR Citation

 

 

[American Heritage]

Head stone

 

 

[uplandmod]

Any particular reason Why he has a gold star on his ph ribbon?

 

I was under the impression that the gold star was in reference to the gold star they sent his parents.

[American Heritage]

Here is his photo from the NPRC file which matches the original graduation photo (shown in 1st post of this thread) taken at Para School at Camp Gillespie San Diego, CA which was found with these documents and uniform.

 

 

[American Heritage]

Any particular reason Why he has a gold star on his ph ribbon?

 

I was under the impression that the gold star was in reference to the gold star they sent his parents.

 

L, he was wounded twice on Iwo, the second resulting in his untimely death. See the awards on the reverse side of the document that would have been his Honorable Discharge.

[devildog34]

Remarkable where did the Truman accolade and other original documents come from? Did it materialize from the seller? Great glad this ended up in good hands.

Semper Fi

Kevin

[American Heritage]

Original wings found on uniform

 

 

[American Heritage]

reverse of original paramarine jump wings - hard to see but it says STERLING

[uplandmod]

Ok I see it.

 

Devildog do you have any input on gold stars on PHs?

 

LF

[American Heritage]

Remarkable where did the Truman accolade and other original documents come from? Did it materialize from the seller? Great glad this ended up in good hands.

Semper Fi

Kevin

 

Hi Kevin,

All the original documents to include the photo, wings, green alpha uniform, khaki shirt, and hang-up bag with owner's name on it all came from the seller located in Yakima, WA who acquired all this from the family directly. The documents were all attached to the large framed certificate and were removed as they had been scotch taped there for safe keeping all together! The 5th mardiv patch is original to the time-period. The patch was sewed on a bit too high on the shoulder which results in a larger than normally seen separation between the chevron and the bottom of the patch, but it is all original and all correct. There is no doubt this grouping came from the hero Frank Holec's family and is absolutely authentic and un-messed with. As a former Marine, I am especially humbled to be the caretaker of this Paramarine's effects.

[American Heritage]

hang-up bag for his uniform with his name written on both sides

 

 

[uplandmod]

Ok I see it Gold Star means more than one PH awarded.

 

LF

[uplandmod]

A wonderful tribute to the life of a marine!

[American Heritage]

khaki shirt

 

[American Heritage]

The F.E. Holec name is stamped multiple times in the uniform. here is just one of the stampings. This pic was from the seller.

[American Heritage]

QM stamp and name stamped multiple times in the trousers. This 1st pic was from the seller.

[American Heritage]

For the record, here is the uniform as I received it from the seller. This is the seller's photo. I added / reconstructed the ribbon bars but the wings and 5th mardiv patch were original to the jacket.