First Lieutenant Donald Woods Holman, deceased, is being honored tonight with his medallion accepted by his widow, Margaret Lofgren. First Lieutenant Holman was born in England, Arkansas, and served with the US Army in Vietnam. His awards include the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action, the Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally meritorious combat achievement, and the Purple Heart Medal.

Donald Holman was raised in England, Arkansas, where he graduated from high school. He graduated in 1968 from Arkansas State University through the university's ROTC program. Holman received a U.S. Army commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch after attending the U.S. Army Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was deployed to Vietnam and subsequently assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the northern part of South Vietnam (I Corps). His opponents were the North Vietnamese Army, not the Viet Cong, who were well-trained and highly disciplined troops.

At the time, U.S. Army policy allowed frontline officers to be transferred to safer duty stations in the rear areas after six months in the field. However, Lieutenant Holman chose to remain with his platoon when his frontline tenure was up. On March 10, 1970, while serving as a platoon leader, Lieutenant Holman led a reaction force into an area of enemy contact. Upon reaching the area, Lieutenant Holman formed his platoon online and began an assault on the well-concealed enemy positions.

When one of the platoon's vehicles was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, injuring the crew, Lieutenant Holman positioned his tank between the wounded soldiers and the enemy fire. While the wounded were being evacuated, Lieutenant Holman's vehicle was hit by another grenade, causing it to catch fire and trap one of the crew members. Lieutenant Holman exposed himself to enemy fire to place accurate suppressive fire on the enemy with his machine gun, allowing his crew to evacuate and free the trapped man. During this effort, Lieutenant Holman was mortally wounded by hostile fire.

First Lieutenant Holman's actions reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service.