Leonard Holland

Major General Leonard Holland (April 9, 1916 – August 16, 1999) was an American military officer from Rhode Island. He served as the Adjutant General of Rhode Island for 22 years from 1961 to 1983, longer than anyone else.

Biography Leonard Holland was born in Providence, Rhode Island on April 9, 1916.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry branch on August 6, 1942. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to major on February 12, 1946, shortly before being discharged from active duty.

Retirement General Holland retired from the Army in August 1983 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the rarely awarded Rhode Island Cross, Rhode Island's highest military decoration. He was succeeded by Major General John W. Kiely, a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

After retirement, Holland split his time between homes in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and West Beach, Florida. In 1996, he became disabled after falling and fracturing his skull.

He died on August 16, 1999 at a nursing facility in Atlanta, Georgia near the homes of two of his sons,

Legacy After General Holland's retirement, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a law that Adjutants General of Rhode Island would be limited to two five-year terms in office.

Awards Combat Infantryman Badge Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Army Commendation Medal Purple Heart Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with campaign star Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal with star Humanitarian Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three hourglass devices Rhode Island Cross Rhode Island National Guard Service Medal Rhode Island Emergency Service Ribbon with Pendant