 "Photo: Nicholas Badger")
Lt. Gen. James Hollingsworth, the most decorated officer in the history of Texas A&M University, died Tuesday in San Antonio at the age of 91.
Hollingsworth was born March 24, 1918, near Sanger, Texas. He attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas from 1936 to 1940 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.
Upon graduation, Hollingsworth was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. This marked the beginning of a military career that spanned 36 years (1940–1976).
Hollingsworth was honored by A&M in 1980 when he was named Distinguished Alumnus, and again in 1994 when he was inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor.
University President R. Bowen Loftin said Hollingsworth distinguished himself and his alma mater through “his long and valiant service to his country.”
“Gen. Hollingsworth was unquestionably one of the most distinguished military officers ever produced by Texas A&M,” Loftin said. “Gen. Hollingsworth will be sorely missed, and, on behalf of Aggies everywhere, I extend my condolences to his family.”
There is a statue of Hollingsworth in the Quadrangle bearing the name “Danger 79er,” which was Hollingsworth’s call sign during his service in Vietnam. Corps Commander Brent Lanier said Hollingsworth’s bronze figure symbolizes the Corps’ storied past.
“General Hollingsworth was an outstanding leader and role model, and as we pass by his statue on the Quad we are reminded of the great sacrifice he made, as well as of the great history and legacy that the Corps represents,” Lanier said.
A plaque beside Holingsworth’s statue says he was a man of “character, honor and dignity.”
“He was revered by his troops and feared by the enemy as a warrior who was always on the scene in times of need or at times of immense peril,” reads the plaque. “A role model and a motivator to all who knew and loved him. A great Texas Aggie!”
Throughout World War II, Hollingsworth served in the Second Armored Division under Gen. George Patton. He participated in seven military campaigns including the occupation of Berlin and was wounded in combat five times. By war’s end, Hollingsworth, 26, had been promoted to lieutenant colonel.
In Vietnam, Hollingsworth was twice honored with the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the second highest military decoration in the U.S. Army. Hollingsworth was honored with the award for valor in 1945 during combat in World War II.
In 1973, after his two tours of duty in Vietnam, Hollingsworth was given charge of 13 Divisions in South Korea. For the next three years, he served as commanding general of the largest field combat army in the world.
Christian Carmichael, a cadet in Company B-1 and a sophomore general studies major, said Hollingsworth set an admirable example throughout his military service.
“He served his country very honorably and became a great leader,” Carmichael said. “He is an example to us all because he was willing to put his country and his fellow soldiers before himself.”
Hollingsworth retired from the Army as a lieutenant general in 1976. He then founded Hollingsworth Consultants Inc., an aerospace consulting firm. As a civilian, he was responsible for the evaluation of U.S. forces in Europe during the Cold War.
His work is credited with impacting the fall of the Berlin Wall and shortening the Cold War. A graveside service for Hollingsworth will be at 3 p.m. May 20 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
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Houston, Texas
A: Texas
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