Jesse D. Hollemon, Jr.
Corporal, U.S. Army

On 15 December 1943, Corporal Jesse D. Hollemon, Jr. was serving with the 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, Fifth U.S. Army in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations.

On that day, CPL Hollemon’s unit was in action against German forces in Italy during the Battle of San Pietro. CPL Hollemon acted as agent corporal of an infantry heavy weapons platoon in support of a rifle company's night attack on Mount Lungo. During the advance over rugged, mountainous terrain, the rifle company encountered stiff German resistance and its positions were raked by heavy small arms, mortar and machine gun fire. While returning to his platoon to advise his commander of the situation, CPL Hollemon suddenly found himself caught between 12 German riflemen and an enemy machine gun nest. He opened fire with his rifle and killed 2 Germans and then, using hand grenades, wounded one and killed another. Although CPL Hollemon was seriously wounded during the fire fight, he determinedly continued his mission until he fell dead. CPL Hollemon’s selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Corporal Jesse D. Hollemon, Jr. (ASN: 38051040), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces on 15 December 1943. Corporal Hollemon's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 40 (1944)

Burial

Corporal Jesse D. Hollemon, Jr. is buried at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock, Galveston County, TX.

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