Ervin K. Holter

Ervin Kermit Holter was born in Clarksfield, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota on November 7, 1916, to John and Julia E Johnson Holter. He resided in Palermo, Mountrail County, North Dakota. He entered the United States Army in AUS Mountrail County, North Dakota on January 16, 1941, and served European African Middle Eastern Theater. Second Lieutenant Holter was killed in action on February 25, 1945, in Germany and is buried in the family plot, Knife River Lutheran Church Cemetery, Stanley, Mountrail County, North Dakota.

Second Lieutenant Ervin Kermit Holter (O-2005230) was born on November 7, 1916, in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, and was raised in rural Mountrail County, North Dakota, the son of farmer John Holter and Julia Emilia Johnson. Growing up in a large Lutheran farm family, Ervin completed an eighth-grade education and by 1940 was working long hours as a laborer in the Clear Water area, reflecting the work ethic common to North Dakota farm boys of his generation. He entered the U.S. Army on January 14, 1941, and through demonstrated ability and leadership earned a commission as a second lieutenant, an achievement that spoke to his character rather than privilege or schooling. Assigned to Troop B, 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), he deployed overseas on December 5, 1943, and served in the European Theater, where mechanized cavalry units operated at the forward edge of combat, scouting enemy positions and advancing under constant danger. Previously wounded but returned to duty, Second Lieutenant Holter was again struck by enemy action in Germany in February 1945, suffering severe artillery blast injuries. Despite treatment, he died of his wounds on February 25, 1945, and was officially recorded as killed in action. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and later returned home for burial with full military honors at Knife River Lutheran Cemetery in Stanley, North Dakota. He was survived by his parents and several brothers, and his life stands as a testament to the quiet courage and leadership of America's citizen-soldiers who rose from humble beginnings to serve with distinction in World War II. (Richard Rife, Stories Behind the Stars Contributor)

Sources: Ancestry/Find a Grave