Omer Holland was born in 1922 in Sebastian County, Ar., probably in Central City, to Joseph Shelby Sr. & Clara Elizabeth "Bessie" Delap Holland. The family later lived in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. From his enlistment records we find his education was grammer school and his occuption is farm hand. Omer enlisted in the army in Little Rock, Ar. on 10 Oct 1942. He was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division, 21st Infantry Regiment. At the time of his death Omer Holland was a Sgt. in rank. He was killed by hostile fire June 1, 1945 and awarded the Purple Heart. The 24th Infantry Division was the first division to take up arms against enemy forces in World War II. The Victory Division fought in five campaigns in the Pacific. This is the most campaigns engaged in by any United States division in the Pacific during World War II. General Douglas Mac Arthur, Pacific Theater Commander said of the Victory Division, "No division with which I have been associated with is closer to my heart than the 24th Division, and none has more distinguished itself." Sgt Omer Holland was laid to rest at Plot N Row 15 Grave 155, Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.