<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<p><em>Matthew Manton Holm</em> was born in San Francisco, CA, the son of Ivan Holm and Jaleen Holm. Matt was the youngest of three children, with his sister, Margaret (Peggy) Holm, and brother, Stephen Holm. Matt’s parents owned the King Dodo Playhouse, a comedy club and dinner theater where his mother and father produced, directed, and starred in the plays that were presented. Jaleen often cast one of the children in the plays. Matt fondly recounted stories of watching, from backstage, his parents transform from mom and dad into the main characters in a play and felt proud to watch them act and hear the audience laughing and applauding. One classmate recalled staying at the Holm house on a spring break and attending a delightful performance of Under the Yum Yum Tree. </p>
<p>Ivan introduced Matt to gymnastics, which became his passion and creative outlet. Matt trained hard, took ballet lessons, and became a highly successful gymnast. By the time he graduated from Homestead High School (Cupertino, CA) in 1973, Matt had attained an impressive record of accomplishments with both his high school and local gymnastics club teams. He earned first place in all-around, horizontal bar, and parallel bars at the Central Coast Section Championships in 1973. Matt had full scholarship offers from Washington State, Cal State at San Jose, and the University of Washington, but he chose West Point.</p>
<p>Matt had his first encounter with military life when he met the Man in the Red Sash on July 2, 1973. After Beast Barracks, Matt moved into the Lost Fifties with his prior-service, airborne roommate and began developing lifelong friendships with his beloved H-4 “Hogs.” On one hand, Matt was an extraordinarily gifted athlete, but he was good natured, humble, gentle, and always willing to help a friend. One classmate reported getting his bell rung by Matt in plebe boxing, while another remembered Matt taking time after a tiring gymnastics workout to show him how to improve his batting swing, which resulted in a home run the next time that classmate stepped up to the plate. An academic spark ignited cow year when Matt began studying operations research, systems analysis, and management theory, creating a passion that carried on throughout his lifetime. Matt, known affectionately as “Daddy-O” by classmates and teammates, was captain of the varsity Gymnastics Team firstie year and lettered all 4 years, was honored as an Outstanding College Athlete of America in 1975, and received the Major General William J. Bell Jr. Memorial Award during his firstie year. Matt graduated on June 8, 1977. </p>
<p>Upon graduation, Matt was commissioned in the Field Artillery and completed the basic course at Fort Sill, OK. Following the advanced course, he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO, where he served as the A/FSCOORD for nuclear surety, reporting to the ADC-O (then Brigadier General Colin Powell). Matt was selected to command a newly formed nuclear-capable cohort 155 mm SP battery. The command lasted four years and included a mid-tour permanent change of station to Baumholder, FRG. Under Matt’s command the unit consistently excelled in both operational and administrative evaluations. His final year in Germany was spent as the S-4 of the 8th Infantry Division (DIVARTY). Matt and his family rotated back to CONUS, where he completed his final four years on active duty as the nuclear effects officer at the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA). Matt’s military awards and decorations included the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster).</p>
<p>Matt completed the remainder of his 33 plus year federal service career as a civilian within DNA, the Defense Special Weapons Agency (DSWA), and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). He started as a physical scientist in DNA Test Requirements Division, where he led the U.S. delegation to determine radiological hazard conditions at the FSU Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site. He served as the deputy director of the DSWA Plans and Operations Office, where he performed budget management, protocol, and congressional LNO functions. Matt was a key leader in the transition from DSWA to DTRA, serving as the chief, Counterproliferation Program Integration Office, and chief, Director’s Action Group. His federal service awards include DSWA Nuclear Heritage Award, DOD Agency Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, DTRA Senior Civilian of the Year for 2004 for his instrumental role in the development of counter-improvised explosive device technology, and the DOD Agency Exceptional Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. </p>
<p>Matt became interested in soccer after his boys, Geoff and Chris, started playing. From 1994 to 2008, he was a coach for the Stafford Sting in Stafford, VA. Matt used his Field Artillery background to successfully coach his team to multiple championships. He was proud to say that more than $850,000 in scholarships were awarded to his players. Matt’s leadership skills aided in the development of fine young men who excelled academically and became leaders within their high schools and communities. Matt was extremely proud of his two sons, Geoffrey, USMA 2009, and Christopher, UVA 2014. With his guidance, Matt’s two sons have become successful and possess the same qualities as their father: honesty, vision, integrity, and commitment to family.</p>
<p>Matt volunteered his time on Sundays to teach religious education to children at Quantico Catholic Church. His faith in God never faltered. A loving husband to his dear wife, Alma, for 35 years, Matt was also a dedicated father and grandfather. His smile and laughter will be missed, but his sprit lives in our hearts. </p>
<p><em>— Family and classmates</em></p>
</body>
</html>