Chuck Holden was a bright light wherever he landed and he flew more combat in three tours in Vietnam, flying very tough conditions beginning with an early B-26 tour at Bien Hoa and Danang at the onset of hostilities (He was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart). 

Next was close air support in the F-100 Super Sabre and the elite Misty group flying long 4-hour missions exposed to constant groundfire and the possibility of the shootdown and 6 years on harsh imprisonment.

And he did it again!  He volunteered for a third combat tour, this time in the F-4E as a counter-air pilot during President Nixon's Christmas bombing campaign.

Shortly thereafter he did it once again by volunteering for more action with a remote F-4 assignment to Korea.

Chuck and Rose are an amazing couple with an awesome family and there's a lot to be proud of for the grandchildren during the century ahead.



I'm going to miss going to beer call with you, Chuck. The conversations and stories were wide ranging and fun. I'm sorry we never got to fly jets together, but I appreciate the ride in the Bonanza, when I was DNIF. Your friendship, and the friendship from your family means a lot. Thank you.

Tony Santora

Rose, my deepest sympathy.  We lost a great warrior and a greater man.  I will always value my friendship with you and Brows.  

Love,   PJ

He was commissioned as a USAF Lieutenant before age 21 had his 81st birthday last week.  He flew Learjet's until he was diagnosed with Covid and owned a beautiful Beechcraft private airplane.

Chuck first experienced combat during 1963 Vietnam in a B-26 in 1963, flying 51 missions as a Navigator and was awarded the Purple Heart during one of his 51 combat missions. He was awarded a Purple Heart.  At Phu Cat AB, he flew the F-100 as Misty 75 and was awarded a Silver Star and several DFC’s. His third combat tour was with n the 55th “triple nickel”  F-4 squadron he flew in the Christmas bombing for 12 days as an F-4 counter-air pilot (looking for MIGs) and providing protection for the B-52’s.

After retiring, Chuck owned a Beechcraft light and flew for various executive Jet companies in Las Vegas as a Learjet Pilot until December 2020.

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OBITUARY

Charles Henry Holden

February 6, 1940 – February 10, 2021

Palm Eastern Mortuary & Cemetery

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