James Russell Holmes was born on March 18, 1915, in Pennsylvania. He attended Texas A&M University to further his military interests. Following a year there, he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from the State of Illinois. Beyond academics, he was active in campus life, performing in the 100th Night Show during his senior year, joining the Ski Club and Camera Club, and earning a sharpshooter qualification with a pistol. After graduating in 1938, James was commissioned into the Coast Artillery Corps and, within a year, was assigned to the 60th Coast Artillery Battalion Headquarters on Corregidor in the Philippines.

James was captured after the fall of the Philippines in 1942. He was taken prisoner and held at PW Camp #1 in Cabanatuan. Later, he was transported to Japan in the “Hell Ship” Arisan Maru when it was torpedoed and sank on October 24, 1944, and was one of 1,777 American POWs who perished in that sinking.

Cpt Holmes' name is memorialized in the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Silver Star Citation:
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Coast Artillery Corps) James Russell Holmes (ASN: 0-21195), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment, in action against the enemy in the defense of Corregidor, in the Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Holmes, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, alumni.westpointaog.org, valor.militarytimes.com