WILLIAM W. HOLDEN |
| Mr. Holden has a long track record of making outlandish claims..... sometime around 1993 he went on a local radio station in Victorville, California and claimed that he was former President Kennedy's personal assistant. In the same year, Mr. Holden also claimed that he was Knighted by the Queen of England. |
| Subject: Not a POW ... Wm. Holden Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 23:26:09 -0600 From: "Mike McGrath" <mmcgrath@iex.net> To: CC: info@pownetwork.org Thanks, .... I'll attach the list of 36 captives who escaped in the Vietnam War. Only 28 military escaped. Their names are well known and documented. You didn't mention the country of capture. No problem, it is still bullshit. The first little thing that will trip up this phony story is the part ".....They were surrounded by enemy, captured and escaped 2 days later." OK, who were "they?" This clown won't give you the names of the other persons who were captured and escaped with him....because it is a false story. The others would be documented by DOD also. He will say, "I forgot the names." BS. You know damn well that you remember the names of every guy you got in trouble with as a kid. I.e., traumatic events create life-long memories for details. Was the Under Secretary captured, too? Were the pilots captured, etc. All names would be part of DOD records. Besides, we can check for the dates. A quick look at those dates (my DOD data base) by me, or by DOD itself...would quickly reveal that no aircraft were lost on those dates....(I just checked...An A7A went down 6-11-68 and the next aircraft went down 6-16-68 in NVN...and the pilot is known to us as a POW. Nothing in between). Why did this guy get out after 15 years (to the day). Seems like he would have stayed for 20, at least. Sounds fishy there, too. We'll start a FOIA (Mary...are you on this...thanks) on this clown. It will take 3 to 4 months to get a reply...so be patient. Mike On 26 Apr 2001, at 6:37, wrote: Mike, here's some data on the guy I was talking to you about. As I recall his story, he was a Loadmaster and Chief Steward on a SAM aircraft flying the Under Secretary of the Treasurer into Thailand. They were surrounded by enemy, captured and escaped 2 days later. William W. Holden TSgt Says his DD214 shows medals from Vietnam but does not show any SEA duty time. Can you do anything with that? |
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From: "Mike McGrath" <mmcgrath62@earthlink.net> October 9, 2002 Dear Mr. Holden...I received your message, below. Thank you for the expanded biography. It is certainly more complete than the abbreviated version provided by the National Records Center in Saint Louis. The abbreviated version is all we can get without permission from you. If you were to sign a Form 180, I'm sure the National Records Center biography would provide the expanded version you have given (below). You certainly have a long and distinguished military career...which I do not question. Mr. Larry Greer, DPMO is provided a copy of this message. I do not question any of your background...with the exception of the
claimed period of capture in NVN. As to my own background, I was a
POW in NVN for a period of 5 years 8 months. Of course none of the
661 surviving POWs have ever heard of you...in a POW situation.
And, it appears that the Department of Defense (Defense Prisoner of
War/Missing Personnel Office...DPMO) has never heard of you in this
regard, either. Your name is not listed in the DPMO Reference
Document, U.S. Personnel Missing, Southeast Asia (and Selected Foreign
Nationals), dated May 2001 (and all previous Here is a quote put out by DPMO. Note that it includes mention of all CIA and Black Ops types of captives: =========================== The official U.S. government database of all POWs and MIAs from the Vietnam War does, repeat DOES, contain the names of individuals who served with and for the CIA during the war. It also includes personnel who were held captive for very, very short periods of time. It includes personnel who wore the military uniform, and those who did not. It includes those who worked so-called classified missions, covert missions, and "black missions." It includes missionaries as well as foreign nationals whose cases are related to those of missing Americans. It includes personnel captured or lost in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and China. It includes those missing or lost at sea. It includes persons whose loss or capture incidents range from 1952 to 1988. This database was constructed during the war and refined throughout the years from reports by appropriate military or civilian authorities. It has been in existence for more than 30 years, and has been challenged dozens of times for "accuracy." It has never proven to have omitted a name that should be listed.” ================================= I have worked closely with several personnel (analysts) in DPMO for several years. I have a copy of their data base on my computer as well as a hard copy here in my hand. The only man named Holden who was reported missing during the Vietnam War was Air Force E5 Elmer Larry Holden, reported missing 6-9-68 lost in a HH3E. His body has never been recovered. His status is "BB" which is "KIA--body not recovered." Now, I ask you, why won't a single one of the DPMO analysts confirm your claims? There are dozens of inconsistencies in your story. I will try
to name a few. (1) all the services have procedures which make
it mandatory to report any missing serviceman to their
families. Within hours, a CACO is assigned, telegrams are sent,
service record entries are made, chaplains visit the families,
etc. Where is your proof that even one of these events
occurred? (2) All military units have after-action reports,
or similar reports which would note the loss of a service member.
(3) all military units have morning muster reports which would
note the absence of a member assigned. (4) All units (your
included) would have friends, officers, buddies, witnesses, etc. who
could corroborate that you were missing. (5) Your aircraft
losses would be recorded in your unit's maintenance records as well as
in other reports. (6) The names of the men you claimed were
killed would be listed on the Wall in Washington, DC (and on the
internet along with 58,200 men). (7) the names of the men
who were captured with you would be listed as well....and their names
would be burned in your memory forever. You evidently can't tell
me a single name of any person killed or captured with you. I know
from personal experience that all of us who were And you were the "only" man to escape from North Vietnam. Well, out of the 472 of us up there, there were no escapes. Security was simply too tight, ropes were too tight, and guards were everywhere. Some 30 escapes were made from SVN, two from Laos, none from Cambodia, China or NVN. Now you can ask any of the 472 of us what the conditions were like after capture. And ask any of us if we were to escape, how in the world, in your words, would we be "rescued the next day." After you "were severely tortured for four days and did not feel that we would survive the next day," (Your words), how in the world did you find American troops (or a convenient helicopter) to miraculously rescue you "the following day?" Did the V conveniently leave you a PRC radio to take with you so you could communicate with the nearest passing helicopter? Where are the reports from the unit who rescued you? Why would helicopters be flying around in NVN five days after your capture...at low altitude, just asking to be shot down? And at the exact moment you were wandering around the dikes waiving your white underwear (yes, they stripped us of all clothes upon capture), at passing helos! Who are you kidding? You said "I was debriefed and returned to the States with my
team." OK, now where is that debrief? Who debriefed
you, and where? Name the names of "your team" who was
sent back to the states with you. What date...we can still get the
passenger manifests. Don't you know that all debriefs ended up
with DPMO for analysis? Yours seems to have slipped through the
cracks. Where is it? DPMO has been searching for such gems
for over 30 years, but somehow they have failed to find yours. I will conclude by saying nothing is impossible. I will be the first to apologize for calling you on the carpet... just as soon as you prove your claim. I have to ask, though, why in the world does your claim come up 34 years after you say it happened? Just like the 700 other claimants and their stories. We now have more POW claimants than the real number (661). Not one of them has proven the DPMO and DIA records wrong. Even the CIA captives are on our lists. While it is true that there were black ops, black aircraft, black missions, etc., I don't believe a word of your capture story. The evidence is stacked against you. You don't have a shred of proof. And, if I am wrong on this count, I can only advise you to contact DPMO with your proof. When you prove your story with DPMO, you will be entitled to the POW Medal as well as your other earned privileges. You will also be entitled to POW license plates which could save you hundreds of dollars in forgiven registration fees. you will be entitled to VA dental benefits, etc. It is up to you to prove your claims...if you want the dubious privilege of claiming to have been captured for four days, escaping from North Vietnam on the fifth.... And by the way, where is Mr. Jack Moore? Sounds like he was your CIA handler, and isn't it convenient that the CIA will neither confirm nor deny such assertions. I'm curious....why did you get out of the service after only 15 years (1962 to 1977)? Disability discharge or medical discharge for your wounds (for which you were supposed to have received the Purple Heart and oak leaf in lieu of a second award---but didn't?). Are you now receiving VA benefits? POW Service Connected Disability? Wouldn't your medical record record these wounds and subsequent treatment? Mr. Holden, I do not question anything in your service other than
your claim to have been captured in North Vietnam for a period of four
days starting June 15, 1968. Your official records seem to
indicate you were in Washington, DC at that time. The record you
sent (below) says you were with the CIA in SEA at that
time. Frankly, I do no believe that. If you Here is the address of DPMO where you can submit your evidence: Sincerely, |
| On 9 Oct 2002, at 2:59, BHOLDEN43@aol.com wrote:
Dear Mr. McGrath, I am in receipt of your e-mail and response to my enquiry to Mr. Bob
Necci. I would like to respond without anger in response to your
accusations and supposed accurate records that you have researched
to denounce my claim. Jan 1962 Enlisted USAF Atlanta, GA Basic Training San Antonio, TX Jet Mechanic Training School Amarillo, TX Jun 1962 Jet Mechanic 7101st ABW Wiesbaden, Germany Jun 1963 Load Master/Flt Steward Wiesbaden, Germany 7101st SAM Jun 1964 Load Master/Flt Steward Peterson Field, CO ADC SAMS Mar 1967 Presidential Air Crew Andrews AFB, MD 89th MAW Jun 1968 Loadmaster Special Missions SEA 8 Missions CIA / AA Jun 1969 Loadmaster Special Missions SEA 8 Missions CIA / AA May1967 Presidential Air Crew Andrews AFB, MD 89th MAW Jun 1968 Load Master/Flt Steward Andrews AFB, MD 1st SAMS Jan 1971 Discharged Andrews AFB, MD Exxon Oct 1971 Load Master/Flt Steward Patrick AFB, FL 6551 SAMS Oct 1972 Load Master/Flt Steward Howard AFB, PCZ SC/SAMSO Dec 1972-74 Load Master/Courier SEA 24 Missions CIA / AA Jun 1974 NCOIC Medical Recruiting Los Angeles, CA AFEES/MED Jan 1977 Discharged Los Angeles, CA Self Employ Jan 1977 Enlisted CA/ANG Van Nuys, CA COM SPEC Nov 1977 Discharged Van Nuys, CA Self Employ This is a correct statement of all service assignments for William W. olden AF 14785994 / AF 259xxxxxx for the period of service USAF as indicated. Per the official U.S. Air Force Records dated Post Mark 22 Dec 99, these records indicate that I did receive the Viet Nam Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters. I was also to have received 2 Purple Hearts, which I have never received. The missions I was on were classified and required me to be in black flight suit and black baseball cap. We flew all of our missions on a black C-123. My contact upon arrival in Viet Nam was a Mr. Jack Moore assigned to Air America. My assignments took me to Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos, China, and North Viet Nam. My position was as a load master. We were never allowed to give our names per our orders. In regards to my POW statement, it has always been, I was in captivity for a period of four (4) days and escaped on the fifth day. I have never varied in my statements nor have I ever falsely stated as to the facts as they occurred. You may call me and discuss any of these statements or facts and I will be happy to discuss them with you or anyone else that you feel would be appropriate. I can appreciate your comments, as there have been individuals who have represented facts dishonestly. I did my service honorably and did my job as instructed. Respectfully submitted, William W. Holden, Sr. |
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From: BHOLDEN43@aol.com
Full-name: BHOLDEN43
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2005 03:24:59 EST
Subject: REPLY
Dear Sir: My statement is accurate and is the truth. The pilot's name on the helicopter is Capt. Korn.
Check
the SAMS Mission from Andrews AFB 1001st for that time period and you
will find that I was in fact on that Mission an did return with that
crew as scheduled.
I was
debriefed in the safe house behind Sammy's Jewelers on the 2nd floor
in Bangkok.
One of
the pilots I flew with out of Howard AFB Panama CZ, was Capt. Jim
Pittochelli in F4's.
In
regard to Jack Moore, it was verified that he was the air operations
manager for Air America in Viet Nam during the time period I speak of.
That was confirmed at the Las Vegas AA Reunion.
In
regard to signing a form 180, I have signed 2 of them and have
forwarded them as requested. I have yet to hear from anyone. One,
because my records have been altered as was proven when I mentioned
that my active duty records no longer show my SEA service, but they
missed my ANG records.
Why did
I get out after 15 years? Because I couldn't get promoted when I was
the top medical recruiter. I chose to go civilian and received the
promotions and pay I deserved.
I know
what I did and when I did it. I did my job as instructed. I kept my
mouth shut. In regard to no other escapees from NVM, you're sadly
mistaken. There have been at least 8 that have been proven to have
escaped.
Respectfully
yours,
Bill
Holden
p.s.
Thank you for serving your country honorably. Welcome Home.
p.p.s. Check
out MSGT Earl Macon and a C-47 that crashed approximately one mile
short of the runway in Taiwan. Find out how much gold they were
hauling out of Viet Nam.
Ask how
many of our MIA's were terminated in SEA under the order of President
Bush. Ask the CIA about the "HIT LIST" of 1200+ MIA's that
were terminated. Ask about the "Drug Lord's" that maintained
operations in SEA as CIA and Military officers and enlisted. I know
because I was making their payoffs. That's why you don't find records
of flights and lost aircraft. Ask about the biological warfare testing
we did in SEA and how many Cambodians and Laotians died. Ask the
Cambodians and Vietnamese that put on NVN uniforms and got paid $6.00
a day for making it look like Cambodia and Laos were being
invaded. I haven't said a word publicly. That's why I was called
to do my missions, because I kept my mouth shut.
I only
asked for help so that I could receive VA dental and vision care.
I've never asked for monetary compensation. I only wanted to get the
recognition for honorable service I provided.
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FOIA RECEIVED October 2001 |
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