Nathaniel T. Robertson
Regimental Historian, 185 th Armor Regiment
Colonel
Holderman entered service in the California National Guard as
Private, advanced to noncommissioned officer, and was later elected
as a Lieutenant in Company L, 7th California Infantry Regiment.
In 1916, he served with the Regiment during Mexican Border Service,
and later organized into Company L, 160th Infantry, assigned
to the 40th Division. He and his whole company were assigned
as replacements to Company K, 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division.
He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the California
Medal for Valor for his actions during the period 2-8 October
1918, while Commanding Company K, 307th Infantry Regiment of
the "The Lost Battalion". He was wounded on 4th, 5th,
and 7th October, although suffering great pain and subjected
to fire of every character, he continued to personally lead and
inspire the officers and men under his command. On 5 October,
in a wounded condition he left the safety of his position to
lead a series of counter attacks against a large attacking German
force.
- "While in command of Company K, 307th Infantry which company held the right flank of the force consisting of six companies of the 308th Infantry, two platoons of the 306th Machine Gun Battalion and Company K, 307th Infantry, and which force was cut off and surrounded by the enemy for five days and nights in the Forest d'Argonne, France, from October 2nd to October 7th, 1918. Captain Nelson M. Holderman though wounded early in the siege and suffering great pain continued throughout the entire period leading and encouraging the officers and men under his command. He was wounded on the 4th of October but remained in action during all attacks made by the enemy upon the position, personally leading his men, himself remaining exposed to fire of every character. He was again wounded on the 5th of October, but continued personally organizing and directing the defense of the right flank against enemy attacks. During the entire period he personally supervised the care of the wounded exposing himself to shell and machine gunfire that he might help and encourage his men to hold the position. On October 6th, though in a wounded condition he rushed through shell and machine gun fire and carried two wounded men to a place of safety. This officer though wounded, continued to direct the defense of the right flank and on the 7th of October was again wounded but continued in action. On the afternoon of October 7th this officer and one man, with pistols and band grenades alone and single handed, met and dispersed a body of the enemy, killing and wounding most of the party, when they attempted to close in on the right flank while their forces were at the same time making a frontal attack, thus saving two machine gum from capture as well as preventing the envelopment of the right flank. Again on the evening of the 7th of October and during the last attack made by the enemy upon the position, a liquid fire attack was directed or the right flank; though in a wounded and serious condition Captain Holderman remained on his feet, keeping the firing line organized and preventing the envelopment of the right flank. He refused to let his wounds interfere with his duty until after relief was effected. The successful defense of the position was largely due to his courage. He personally led his men out of the position after assistance arrived and before permitting himself to be attended. The courageous optimism and inspiring bravery of this officer encouraged his men to a successful resistance in spite of five days fighting, hunger and exposure."
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