HOLLIDAY – CombatVets Network

Bio Image

Personal Details

Last Name: HOLLIDAY
First Name Middle Initial: CECIL L
Nick Name:
Street: 102 NIGHTHAWK
Country &State:
City:
State: GEORGTOWN, TX
Postal Code: 78268
Phone: (512) 930-2261
E-Mail:
Spouse: DORRIS
Age when entered service:
Age first entered:
War or Conflict: WW II
Theater of operations: ETO
Year:
Branch of Service/s: Army Air Corp
Years Served:
Date of Discharge / Retirement (circle):
Highest Rank: new_value
Military MOS (Job Descriptions): BALL TURRET GUNNER
What military medals received: AIR MEDAL W/OAK LEAF CLUSTER, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART MEDAL

Military Bio:

Cecil S. Holliday born July 5, 1924 passed away Thursday, May 20, 1999. He graduated from Austin High School and volunteered for the Army Air Corps in June 1942. Durin his distinguished military career he served as a ball turret gunner on the B-17. Patches was shot down on the second Schweinfort raid, October 14, 1943. Cecil was a POW in Stalag XVII-B. He also flew with the 390th BG(H), 8th Air Force on thirteen missions. Cecil is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dorris Lovin Holliday; two sons, John and wife Barbara, Bob and wife Judy; sisters, Margaret Jaques and husband John, Valla Lee Britton, Ruby Stewart and husband W.D; brother Paul Holliday, Jr. and four grandchildren, Sean Holliday, Nicholas Holliday, Scott Holliday, Christa Ingram and husband Earl. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and sister Gladys Meadows. He attended the American River Junior College, Sacramento State College in Sacramento, California and the Baptist Theological Seminary, Rushlicon, Switzerland. Cecil was a retired Southern Baptist minister serving churches in California and Texas. He was a Chaplain for the Department of Texas American Ex-Prisoners of War for seven years, a Commander from 1989 to 1990, and National Director from 1990 to 1991.

My Message to Future Generations: Name of Crew members in front of B-17 picture Front row--left to right::--Fernie McEwin-co-pilot, Harold Erickson--pilot, Victor Baker-navigator, Vincent McDonald-bombardier Second row--left to right::--Cecil Holliday-radio operator and ball turret gunner Ray Leville-1st radio operator, Edwin Pearce--assistant engineer and right waist gunner Harry Powers--engineer and top turret gunner George Jahnke--1st armored and left waist gunner Fred Smart--Tail gunner.

Post Military Occupation

Age when captured: 19
Date of Captured: 10/14/43
Place captured: GERMANY
Camp/s held: STALAG 17B
Date Released: 05/05/45
Prisoner-of-war status: Liberated
Date of DEATH if deceased:
AGE at death:
Died In Combat:
Died from complications of combat wounds:
Describe below Survivors Include: