After more than eight decades of uncertainty, Ensign Howard Allen Holding, a World War II pilot from Utah, was finally laid to rest with full military honors at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. His return home marks the end of an 81-year journey for his family and a historic moment of remembrance for the state.
The flag-draped casket was carried by naval reservists as family members and veterans gathered in solemn respect. The ceremony featured the soft echo of “Danny Boy,” played in tribute to the fallen aviator who never made it back from the Pacific War.
The Mission That Changed Everything
On September 6, 1944, Holding was part of the VF-20 squadron aboard the USS Enterprise, one of America’s most legendary aircraft carriers. His mission: to strike Japanese defenses on Yap Island, a crucial communication hub in the Pacific.
Tragically, the mission turned deadly. Intense anti-aircraft fire hit several U.S. planes, including Holding’s. His aircraft went down over the island, and his body was never recovered. For his family, the loss was devastating. His mother fainted upon receiving the news — a moment relatives say she never fully recovered from.
A Search Spanning Generations
For decades, the fate of Ensign Holding remained a mystery. But determination and technology would finally bring answers. Researcher Patrick Ranfranz, who has spent years locating missing U.S. pilots in the Pacific, discovered aircraft fragments believed to belong to Holding’s plane.
Among his findings was a small piece of plexiglass — possibly from the cockpit — that he held onto for more than 20 years. Through DNA analysis and detailed investigations by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, the remains were conclusively identified and returned home.
At the ceremony, Ranfranz held the preserved cockpit fragment and said, “Every time I look at it, I imagine the courage and resolve it took for Howard to fly that mission. It connects me to the man he was.”
Family Reflections and Long-Awaited Closure
For Holding’s surviving relatives, the day was filled with both tears and gratitude. His niece, Terri Trick, who helped track down information about her uncle, described the overwhelming emotions: “It’s been 81 years for Howard, but today he’s finally home. We waited generations for this.”
His nephew, Brent Jacob, added that though most family members never met him, the pilot’s bravery was always part of their family story. “He was more than just a name in history — he was one of us,” he said.
Trick, who visited Yap several times and documented the ongoing search, said the moment of burial brought peace. “I can finally let go of the wondering,” she reflected.
Honoring His Legacy
The ceremony wasn’t just for one soldier — it was for every American who never made it home. Military officials said Holding’s return represents the continuing effort to bring closure to families of those missing in action.
As the final salute echoed across the cemetery, the Utah sky stood still. After 81 years, Ensign Howard Allen Holding was home — honored, remembered, and finally at peace.
