Emil Lewis Holmdahl

Emil Holmdahl
Emil Holmdahl and his pet dog during the campaign against Zapata. c 1913
Birth nameEmil Lewis Holmdahl
Nickname(s)Lewis
Born(1883-08-26)August 26, 1883
Fort Dodge, Iowa, US
DiedApril 8, 1963(1963-04-08) (aged 79)
Van Nuys, California, US
Buried
Allegiance United States
 Qing dynasty
 Honduras
 Mexico
Republic of the Rif
Magonistas
Federales
Porfiristas
Maderistas
Carrancistas
Constitutionalists
Conventionalists
Villistas
Druze
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1898 – 1920
Rank Captain (US)
Colonel (Mexico)
Ensign (China)
Unit51st Iowa Volunteer Regiment
Royal Imperial Guards, Sinim Order of Dragoons (China)
20th Infantry Regiment
5th Cavalry Regiment (Mexico)
16th Engineer Regiment (Railway)
Battles / wars
AwardsLegion of Honor (Mexico)
Spanish Campaign Medal
Philippine Campaign Medal
Philippine Congressional Medal
Mexican Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal
Spouse(s)Ann (m. 1929, divorced 1930)
Elizabeth Ellamanda Moyer (m. 1928, died 1957)
Other workSpy
Gun Running

Emil Lugwig "Lewis" Holmdahl (August 26, 1883 – April 8, 1963) was an American soldier of fortune, infantryman, machine gunner, spy, gun runner, and treasure hunter who fought under Frederick Funston and John J. Pershing in the Spanish–American War and subsequent Philippine–American War (Philippine Insurrection), under Lee Christmas in Central America, under Francisco Madero, Pancho Villa, and Venustiano Carranza in the Mexican Revolution, and under John J. Pershing again in World War I. In 1926, Holmdahl was accused of having stolen Francisco "Pancho" Villa's head.