Memorial

Biography

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Ernest J. Holbrook was a star athlete in basketball and baseball at Long Beach Polytechnic High School. He enrolled at the University of Southern California in 1932, and was a high-scoring forward on the first undefeated USC freshman basketball team, before starring for the varsity team for three years. In March 1935, Holbrook was the hero of the Pacific Coast Conference play-off series against Oregon State.

On 6 May 1935, amid much publicity, Holbrook traveled to Cleveland for a tryout with the visiting Boston Red Sox. He signed a professional contract the following week and joined the Charlotte Hornets of the Class B Piedmont League.

Holbrook retired from baseball after the 1936 season and returned to California, where he coached basketball at George Washington High School. He took over coaching duties of the court team at USC in 1943–1944.

On 17 January 1944, and after being rejected on three previous occasions, Holbrook relinquished his coaching position to enter military service with the Army. As a replacement infantryman, he left his wife Melva, and young son Ronnie, at home in Hermosa Beach, California, and served with the 109th Infantry Regiment of the 28th “Keystone” Infantry Division in Europe. On 16 December 1944, snow, ground fog and freezing weather engulfed the Ardennes in Luxembourg, where Private Holbrook was stationed.

An early morning enemy artillery and mortar barrage ripped into the division’s line as the Fifth Panzer Army launched an attack in what later became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Holbrook was reported missing in action that first day. It was later confirmed he had died during the opening salvos of the Ardennes offensive.