Colonel David Kenneth Holland

Col. Holland attended the University of Kentucky where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity and active in ROTC becoming Commander of Company “C” Pershing Rifles. He was commissioned a 2nd LT, Infantry June 2, 1950, later earning a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Omaha, Nebraska. After a military career spanning over 30 years, he retired June 1, 1984 in Nashville at the rank of Regular Army Colonel. He then worked for the State of TN, retiring in July 1995.

Col Holland was a graduate of the Defense Language institute (Presidio of Monterey, CA) where he became fluent in Persian; the Command and General staff College (Ft Leavenworth, KS); the US Naval War College (Newport, RI); and several others. His many tours of duty included command of both the 2nd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery (3rd Armored Division – Spearhead) in Gelnhausen, Germany and the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery (4th Infantry Division) in the Republic of South Vietnam. Other postings included the Pentagon, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; 101st Airborne Division (Ft. Campbell, KY); twice with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany; Advisor to the Iranian Field Artillery School (Iran); and the Caribbean area. He came to Nashville, TN, in 1981, as the first Regular Army Inspector General to serve the Tennessee National Guard.

In June 2004, he was appointed Honorary Regimental Commander of the 42nd Artillery Regiment by the Commandant of the US Army Artillery School, Ft Sill, OK. He was very active in the 13th Armored Infantry Battalion Association reuniting with comrades in arms from the 1950’s. He was an active member of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

Col Holland was highly decorated including the Legion of Merit (with 2 OLC), Purple Heart, Bronze Star (with 2 OLC), Air Medal (with numeral 12), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Chiefs of Staff Commendation Medal, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification badge and the Tennessee Adjutant General’s Staff Badge. He earned the Expert Infantryman’s Badge as well as becoming a paratrooper and glider man.

He was a member of First Christian Church and America Legion Post 57, both of Hickman, KY. In Nashville an active member of Community Bible Church. He was a past President of the Davidson County Master Gardeners.

He is survived by his wife, Claire Mabry Holland whom he married October 30, 1954, in Hickman; children David K (Jennifer) Holland, Jr. of Arbuckle CA and Nancy Nell Holland of Frederick MD; two grandchildren Melanie Katherine and John E Holland both of St. Louis MO; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Joseph B Holland, Warren, MI and grandson, David K (Trey) Holland III.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, September 17, 7PM at the Community Bible Church (6005 Edmonson Pike, Nashville, TN 37211). Funeral and graveside services with full military honors will be held Saturday, September 19 2PM at Strong Funeral Home and City Cemetery, Hickman KY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, Hickman KY (c/o Steve Coulson, 511 E. Moulton Street Hickman KY 42050) or the Community Bible Church, or to a charity of one’s choice.