Telling the tale of the Sea Tiger

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales about us, our family and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

John Holland graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1955. After graduating from the University of Missouri with a Business Administration degree in 1959, he joined the Navy.

Ensign Holland began his exciting Naval career serving on the USS Los Angeles, USS Guam and USS Nitro. He participated in the recovery of the spaceship Gemini 11 and got to meet astronauts Pete Conrad and Gordon Cooper.

In 1969, Lieutenant Commander (LTCDR) Holland was sent to Vietnam. He was assigned as an advisor to the Vietnamese Navy working in the Mekong River Delta. He was now serving in what was known as the “Brown Water Navy.” At his disposal was a riverine force consisting of a squadron of ten PBR’s (Patrol Boat River), two Swift Boats and a Navy UDT (Underwater Demolitions Team). Also attached to his task force was Vietnamese Navy wooden junks, U.S. Marines, Korean Marines, Vietnamese Marines and the Vietnamese Regional and Popular Forces. On his first day, while riding a transport to his base on the Cui Dai River, Holland came under fire. Welcome to Vietnam.

Known as Operation Sea Tiger, Holland’s teams would infiltrate the Mekong Delta and insert hunter/killer teams. They would deploy sensors on the jungle trails and when they detected movement, the ambush teams would be inserted. When a bunker was discovered, the demolition teams would go in. Holland frequently jumped ashore with his teams. He participated in 100 sea patrols and 15 raids. A Viet Cong SKS rifle captured in a bunker by Holland is on display in the Poplar Bluff Museum. He received a Bronze Star medal for Valor for his leadership in Operation Sea Tiger.

In 1970, American forces began to withdraw from Vietnam. Holland turned over all his boats to the South Vietnamese Navy. He was the last American left at the base but the Navy had one more mission for him. He had to supervise the return of Communist prisoners by sea. It was a very risky operation having to be covered by a Navy heavy cruiser.

In 1970, LTCDR Holland left Vietnam. He later served on the USS Arcturus and the USS Butte. His last assignment was in the Pentagon. Holland retired in 1981 as a Commander.

John returned to Poplar Bluff and worked in the local school system, eventually becoming the Superintendent of Schools. Still serving, he became the Commander of VFW Post 6477 and the SEMO Veterans Honor Guard. At the age of 67, John became a mountain climber with Mt. Kilimanjaro (Africa) and Mt. Elbrus (Russia) to his credit.

Commander Holland has a special exhibit in the Hall of Heroes. His dress white uniform, Sea Tiger beret, Bronze Star and a PBR model is on display. Salute!

The Museum is open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main Street, Poplar Bluff (formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.