Grave marker for Lewis M. Holden in Plot CA, 1917 of the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno (San Mateo county), California.

1st Lt Holden joined Hq 3rd, 508 PIR on 10 November 1943 only six weeks prior to the regiment shipping to the ETO.  Although his prior military record is unknown, he was obviously already jump qualified.

The regiment underwent field training exercises in the area of Portstewart, North Ireland for approximately three months before embarking for England.  The unit arrived in Nottingham  on March 13, 1944.

On 20 March 1st Lt Holden was listed as absent, sick in the 30th General Hospital, Mansfield, England.

Whatever his medical condition was is unknown but it was not jump related as the company made its first practice jump in England two days later.

His condition was serious enough that on 24 April he was transferred to the hospitals Detachment of Patients implying that his slot was removed from the 508th in order that it be filled before the invasion of Europe would begin. That replacement may have been either 1st Lt. Harry Cooksey or 1st Lt John Crone both of whom transferred to Hq 3rd from FFRD #8 on 29 April 1944.

Lt Holden, in fact, did not return to the 508th but did remain on active duty.  Based on the cemetery's grave maker he retired as as Lieutenant Colonel.