Axel J. Holmes, Sr.
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Axel J. Holmes, Sr. served in World War II in the Southwest Pacific in the U.S. Army Air Forces beginning in March 1943.
He was assigned to the 880th Airborne Engineer Aviation Battalion and to the 871st Engineer Battalion. He drove a truck full of provisions in support of troops who were repairing airfields. His rank was Technician 5th Grade
He served in Lae, Nadzab, Hollandia, and Biak in Papua New Guinea and in Luzon, the Philippines. He also served in Japan.
He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Luzon Campaign Medal and one bronze battle star.
He was discharged in January 1946.
Mr. Holmes was born in 1923 in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, the son of Henry and Rachel Holmes. He graduated from high school in 1940.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form
