Major Edward Holton is originally from Northport, New York.  He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2003 and The Basic School in 2004.  He was later assigned as the Fire Support Team (FiST) Leader for Company C, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable.  He deployed with Company C to Hit, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) from November 2005 to May 2006.

 In August of 2006 he was selected as the Aide-de-Camp, Assistant Division Commander, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).  In January of 2007 First Lieutenant Holton deployed with II MEF (FWD) as the Aide-de-Camp, Ground Combat Element Commander, II MEF (FWD) to Fallujah, Iraq in support of OIF.

 In July of 2007, Captain Holton was assigned as Commander, Company C, Task Force, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines and deployed to Albu Hyatt, Iraq in support of OIF.  He returned to the U.S. in September of 2007 and deployed again in July of 2008 in the same billet to Sahl Sinjar Province, Iraq in support of OIF.  Captain Holton returned in February of 2009 and in April was assigned as Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines.

 In July of 2009 he attended the Maneuver Captains Career Course in Fort Benning, GA.  Upon graduation Captain Holton reported to Instructor Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry – East (SOI-E) for duty as Executive Officer.  In December of 2010 he was selected to be the Deputy Director of Combat Instructor School (CIS), SOI-E.  In April of 2011 he was appointed as Director and served in that billet until April of 2012. 

 In May of 2012 he was selected as an Olmsted Scholar as part of the Commandant’s Career Level Education Board and attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA where he earned an associate degree in Italian.  In January of 2013 he deployed to Bologna, Italy and was promoted to his current rank in December 2013.  In July 2015 Major Holton successfully completed his tour at the University of Bologna earning a master’s degree in International Relations with a focus in Strategy and International Conflict. 

 Additional military schools Major Holton has attended include Command and Staff College, High Risk Personnel Course, Assault Climbers Course, Unit Readiness Planning, Curriculum Developer, and Formal School Management.