Subject: Re: Hollister
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 23:29:12 -0800
From: Ted Booth  [email protected]
To: Destroyers Online


Ted Booth, U.S.S. Hollister, 1972-75 
[email protected]

  Daniel Parker�s essay on the Hollister�s experiences in Vietnam in a newsletter prompted me to write about my own recollection of the events. I was a seaman in the Deck Division at the time. My GQ station was as one of two forward lookouts who stood atop the bridge, just in front of the fire-control radar mount. From this position I and my station-mate, Leonard Brisette, had surveillance of all visible surface action in a 300 degree arc. In addition we had the ability to see and hear all the commands issued by the Captain from both bridge wings and much of what was said by the other officers and crew members from inside the bridge. What took place was extremely interesting.

  First of all, on the evening of August 8, 1972, the Hollister was already operating north of the DMZ, not too far from Haiphong Harbor. During the preceding few weeks the ship had been crossing the DMZ after dark, carrying out nighttime operations initially designed to entice North Vietnamese radars to illuminate the ship so that our secret, recently installed, first-of-its-kind, Shrike missile system could be employed to take out the site. After two or three successful operations, they got wise and refused to radiate when our radio call name, �Ski Jump�, was broadcast over the airwaves. Following that our mission turned to shelling fuel and ammo dumps, etc., during high-speed maneuvers with several other ships. The Hollister crew saw more action in those first three or so weeks than during the rest of the entire cruise.

  We had finished our night�s task, secured GQ and had begun to head south at about 2:00 am on the 9th. Hardly had we bunked down when the Capt. announced over the 1MC, that we had been given a high priority assignment and were to proceed south at flank speed. Before dawn the crew was re-awakened to eat and prepare for the mission. Our task was to take out two large ammunition barges that were being sent to re-arm coastal shore batteries. We arrived on station near the island of Hon Me. The Hollister was to stand off and provide cover fire while two newer destroyers went in to take out the barges. All three ships commenced zig-zagging and raced toward the targets. Soon the island and then the coast came into sight. As forward lookouts, Brisette and I scanned the horizon closely, trying make the first visual sighting of the barges.

  Splash!, about 100 yards off the port bow. Within seconds we were surrounded by the rising plumes of detonating shells. The underwater explosions sent up showers of spray which often landed on deck as the ship swiftly tore past. Our 5/38's opened up, returning with rapid, continuous fire at the small flashes visible from both the shore and the island. Acrid yellow smoke and bits of half-burned wadding stung our eyes and faces.

  Closer to shore, just the masts and a vague outline were all that was visible of the two boats we were accompanying. So heavy was the shellfire around them that they resembled ghosts. Hon Me Island, a rugged, densely-covered mountain rising from the sea, seemed alive with the flashes of shore battery fire, interspersed with explosions from our return fire. Cliffs lining the North Vietnamese coast contained still more guns, providing a veritable hail of steel. In the strait between the island and the coast lay the two barges which soon were destroyed.

  There was one particular moment that for me was the most memorable and is still as clear today as when it happened. The ship was making flank speed while on a random, zig-zag course. Since the NV shore batteries were not radar guided, they seemed to be firing a rapid pattern of three shells before halting and re-adjusting their aim. At one point the ship happened to zig right through a spot where two shells had already landed and exploded. Brisette and I glanced over at each other simultaneously. We both realized that if a third projectile landed with its usual pattern and timing, it would likely hit dead center in the bow, traveling right down into the magazine. Our knowing glances to each other were of the "see ya� in the next life, pal", variety. Needless to say, we both breathed a sigh of true relief when, seconds later, the ship was still intact. Life went on. Miraculously the Hollister and the other two ships came out completely unscathed.

Subject: crew member USS Hollister(DD788)
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 14:53:53 -0700
From: "Crease, Don" [email protected]
To: Destroyers Online

My name is Don Crease. I served on the USS Hollister (DD788) as ETN3 from
July 1966 to July 1968.
Thanks,
Don Crease
[email protected]


Subject: CREWS LIST
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999 07:26:05 -0500
From: Walter Oliver [email protected]
To: Destroyers Online

  I am new to the computer age, what I want to tell you is I served
aboard the USS HOLLISTER IN 1950 -1951 while in KOREA. I would like my
name added to the crews list. My name is WALTER OLIVER I was in the
supply division as a CSSN. I left the ship in late 51 to go aboard
another Tin Can the H.R.DICKSON where I finished my tour in the navy.  
Any help getting my name on the list will be appreciated.
   Thank You,  Walter Oliver   [email protected]

Subject:
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 21:42:31 -0500
From: "Elias" [email protected]
To: Destroyers Online

ROBERT I WAS ONBOARD THE USS HOLLISTER FROM DEC 68 TO OCT 72, I WOULD LIKE
TO GET MY NAME PLACE ON THE HOLLISTER CREW LISTS   BM3 ELIAS BRITO


Subject: Plank member USS Hollister (DD 788)
Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 18:42:32 EST
From: [email protected] [email protected]
To: Destroyers Online

My name is Leo Helling. In 1945, I had been on the USS Hugh W. Hadley
(DD774), when we got hit around Okinawa. Not too long after my leave,I was
assigned to the USS Hollister detail in San Francisco. We were sent to
Harbor
Island in Seattle soon after the first of the year in 1946. We put the
Hollister in commission the end of March.  Soon after we left for San Diego
for our shake down with Commander William Samuels in Command. I was on the
Hollister until the middle of May of '46. I was sent to St. Louis where I
was discharged. I served on her crew for a short time and as a plank member,
I sure enjoyed it.      Leo Helling

[email protected]


Subject: Re: USS Hollister  Reunion 
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2000 08:47:33 EST
From: [email protected] [email protected]
To: Destroyers Online

Good morning Robert;
the 12th annual U.S.S. Hollister Reunion ,Wednesday, October 4th ~ Sunday, 
October 8,2000 the Holiday Inn, Financial Plaza I-20  at Pines Road  Exit 
Shreveport, Louisiana 71129  I=318=688=3000.   WCBond


Subject: U.S.S. HOLLISTER DD788
Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 13:57:52 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: Destroyers Online

    MY NAME IS VINCENT A. CIRILLO AND I SERVED IN THE USS HOLLISTER DD788
FROM MAY 1952 UNTIL MAR. 1955 AT WHICH TIME I WAS DISCHARGED. PRIOR TO THEN I
SERVED IN THE USS HYMAN DD732. I WAS BADLY INJURED DURING A REFUELING
OPERATION OFF THE EAST COST OF KOREA NEAR WONSAN AND WAS TRANFERRED BY
HIGHLINE TO A TANKER AND THEN TO THE CRUISER ST. PAUL. I FINALLY ENDED UP IN
THE NAVAL HOS. IN YOKOSUKA, JAPAN. AFTER RECOVERING I WAS ASSIGNED TO THE
HOLLISTER AND SPENT TIME OFF NORTH KOREA ON SHORE BOMBARDMENT, PLANE GUARDING
ETC. I WAS A QM3 DURING MY TIME ON THE HOLLISTER AND I WAS THE HELMSMAN
DURING BATTLE STATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANY SHIPMATES DURING THAT.