Capt. Nelson Miles Holderman (1885-1953)

World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. US Army Captain Nelson Holderman commanded Company K of the Lost Battalion during World War I for which he received the Medal of Honor. He was one of the most decorated American soldiers of that war. His Citation for the Medal of Honor reads: Captain Holderman commanded a company of a battalion which was cut off and surrounded by the enemy. He was wounded on 4, 5, and 7 October [1918], but throughout the entire period, suffering great pain and subjected to fire of every character, he continued personally to lead and encourage the officers and men under his command with unflinching courage and with distinguished success. On 6 October, in a wounded condition, he rushed through enemy machinegun and shell fire and carried 2 wounded men to a place of safety. Holderman also received the Silver Star, Purple Heart with 2 oak leaf clusters, Mexican Service Medal with Citation Star, World War I Victory Medal, Knight of the Legion d'honneur (France), Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 (France), Officer of the Order of the Crown (Belgium), Knight of the Order of Leopold II (Belgium), and the Croce di Guerra 1915-1918 (Italy). He served as the Commandant of the Veterans Home of California Yountville from 1923 until his retirement in 1953. He served in the National Guard for many years retiring as a Colonel. Upon his death, the Veterans Home was renamed in to Nelson M. Holderman in his honor.