John Holliman was an American broadcast journalist

Journalist

A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...

. He was a member of the original reporting corps for CNN

CNN

Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...

, serving as its agriculture correspondent after serving in the same capacity for Associated Press Radio in Washington, DC. He rose to prominence as one of CNN's "Boys of Baghdad" during the first Persian Gulf War

Gulf War

The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...

 in 1991, and was one of only three journalists reporting from Baghdad

Baghdad

Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...

 when allied bombing of the city began. He was later known for his coverage of space exploration

Space exploration

Space exploration is the use of space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft....

. On September 12, 1998, he was killed in a car accident near his home in suburban Atlanta.

Holliman began his broadcasting career as a news and sports reporter for the local radio station in his hometown of Thomaston, Georgia. After two years at a junior college, he transferred to the University of Georgia in Athens. There he worked extensively in the School of Journalism's student broadcasting operations, graduated, and began working as the news director for radio station WGAU

WGAU

WGAU is a radio station licensed to serve Athens, Georgia, United States, that broadcasts a News/Talk format. The transmitter is located at the studios in the Five Points area of Downtown Athens....

, later as senior newsman at radio station WRFC

WRFC (AM)

WRFC is a sports radio station licensed to Athens, Georgia, USA. The format was easy listening until the late 1960s, when it changed to a light rock format. The station was previously owned by Southern Broadcasting of Athens, Inc. until June 2008, when it was purchased, along with its sister...

. He moved to Atlanta and worked at radio station WSB

WSB (AM)

WSB — branded AM 750 and 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB — is a commercial radio station licensed to Atlanta, Georgia broadcasting a news/talk format. The station transmits with 50,000 watts of nondirectional power day and night, enjoying clear-channel status on its broadcast frequency according to the U.S...

 where he became a local celebrity by broadcasting live from the site of an oil tank farm fire in Doraville for several days.

He landed a job in Washington, D.C. working as agricultural editor for the Associated Press. When CNN was created in 1980, he returned to Atlanta to host a weekday morning segment on farming and agricultural news. He was also the first member of the CNN Washington bureau.

His international exposure increased after he covered the student uprising in Tiananmen Square, China. His "Holy Cow!" as a bomb exploded in Baghdad during the first night of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 became a national newspaper headline.

John Holliman was a frequent speaker and strong supporter of student journalists at the University of Georgia's School (later College) of Journalism.

In May 1999, NASA

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...

 dedicated the Launch Complex 39 Press Site auditorium at the Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center

The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...

in Holliman's name.

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