CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), along with members from other services, paused Sept. 7 to honor the memory of Gunnery Sgt. Floyd E. Holley, who died Aug. 29 while conducting counterinsurgency operations in Helmand province. He was 36 years old.
Holley, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with 1st EOD Company, 1st MLG (FWD), was remembered as a Marine who always got the job done while keeping his cool and never breaking his composure.
“Holley was a fun-loving, always happy, easy going, beach-loving kind of guy,” said Master Sgt. Alonza I. MendozaValencia, EOD chief for 1st EOD Company, 1st MLG (FWD).
Holley, from Casselberry, Fla., loved learning and was always doing what he could to better himself.
“His appetite for knowledge was high; he could never learn enough,” said Capt. James N. Shelstad, company commander for 1st EOD Company, 1st MLG (FWD).
Holley knew his job was important and made sure it was done right.
“Holley was about mission accomplishment above anything else,” said MendozaValencia, 42, from Flagstaff, Ariz.
As a leader, Holley took good care of his Marines.
“He treated his men like they where his own family,” said MendozaValencia.
Holley kept his cool in the most stressful situations, making him a valuable asset to the EOD community.
“Holley always had a natural ease about him,” said Shelstad, 42, from Canby, Ore.
Holley’s memory will live on in thoughts of those he influenced and the Marines of 1st EOD Company.
“We will miss him, but never forget him,” said Mendoza Valencia.
Holley is survived by his wife, Christen, son, Andrew, and daughter, Alyssa.