TRIBUTE TO COMMANDER JOHN "JACK" HOLLAND, USN (RET.)

On 2026-06-24, Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO COMMANDER JOHN "JACK" HOLLAND, USN (RET.)" in the Senate.

TRIBUTE TO COMMANDER JOHN "JACK" HOLLAND, USN (RET.)

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3197] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ TRIBUTE TO COMMANDER JOHN ``JACK'' HOLLAND, USN (RET.) Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a patriot and veteran, retired U.S. Navy Commander John ``Jack'' Holland. Mr. Holland's passion for flying came from joining the naval aviation program following his last semester of college. He received his Navy wings a year and a half later and began an illustrious career as a pilot at Naval Air Station Miramar just outside of San Diego. His first orders were to join an attack squadron flying a Douglas AD Skyraider. Over the next 23 years, Mr. Holland transitioned to jets and completed eight aircraft carrier deployments to the Western Pacific, including five deployments to Vietnam. A notable position of honor was serving as the Navy Seventh Fleet Liaison Officer with the U.S. Air Force at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon. Mr. Holland last served as the commanding officer of a Navy Fighter Aggressor Squadron at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. After retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1978, Mr. Holland's contributions and passion for flying continued with his service as an engineering consultant for a Navy contractor at the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, CA. During his service, he was responsible for developing the software management plan for the Navy's F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and other strategic missile programs. On July 8, 2026, at 91, Mr. Holland is returning to First Flight Airport and the Wright Brothers National Memorial to commemorate his years of service as a Navy pilot. He will arrive as a passenger, scale Big Kill Devil Hill, walk to the First Flight Boulder, and recall the views from the aircraft that flew over the same ground revered by this great Nation. Join me in saluting Mr. Holland, not only for his faithful service to this country, but for his return visit to First Flight. ____________________