Mr. Holley was a graduate of West Point High School, and earned his college degree in business from the University of Omaha in Nebraska. At the University he served in the Aviation Cadet Program and received his commission in the Air Force in 1956.

In September 1967, he was assigned duty in Vietnam, and had been in country since that time. He was assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Airbase in Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Holley has been missing in action since his plane was shot down over North Vietnam on November 20, 1968. He was 43 years old when he was declared a casualty.

He was declared killed in action on June 7, 1978. His body was never recovered.

Colonel Holley's name can be found in Panel 34E - Line 87 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.