Hollifield, Bill

MM3 WILLIAM J. HOLLIFIELD 21 October 1950

I William J. Hollifield “Bill” was born 14 March 1932, at
Gastonia, North Carolina. Currently my hair is grey and my eyes are brown. At the young, tender age of 17, I went to the Navy recruiting station, which at the time, May 1950, was in the U. S. Post Office. My journey started in June when I went to Columbia, South Carolina to be prepared for the long Greyhound bus ride to NTC San Diego, California.

At Vallejo, California, I reported aboard USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD 754). It was 21 October 1950. EVANS was in dry dock for about 10 months. When we went to sea, I was a machinist mate in the engine room.

I remember while underway at the equator, we had some very bad weather. We would try to rise over the huge waves but only fell back, stern first. When we did get over the wave, we went down bow first.

Liberty! But one that really stands out was in Sasebo, Japan. We went out and got inebriated. I fell into a rice paddy, up to my waist in human dung! The Chief of the Watch made me take off my white bottom and top, and tee shirt before I could come aboard. Three days later I met my cousin, who was on a LST. We went on liberty. Again, we had a little too much to drink. While stepping on the gangway and ladder, I fell into the water. My cousin pulled me out and got me back to the after engineering compartment.

While on patrol, we went to Wonsan harbor in Korea. I was assigned to a motor whale boat. We strung a cable between two of the boats to sweep for mines. It started to rain and then froze. There was so much ice on the decks and mast. It caused the ship to list. The seamen had to chip it off to get EVANS on an even keel.

After leaving Wonsan harbor, we were patrolling the Korean coast. We had liberty in Sasebo, Japan. A few days later we went back on patrol. While at sea FN Fred Hicks started down the after fireroom ladder. He slipped and fell head first. He was taken to sickbay where he died. He was placed in the freezer until the ship returned to port.

While in Yokosuka, Japan, I took a tour through miles and miles of underground caves where the Japanese military lived during WWII. It was one of the best tours in Japan.

All in all, I would have to say my four years aboard the Grey Ghost was one of the major highlights of my life. I met my wife in 1953, which was the beginning of our wonderful life. We were married in 1954.

My heart goes out to the 74 brave men who lost their lives in 1969. Bill Currently resides at 2912 Sandra Avenue, Centralia, WA 98531. You can reach him at billyhollifield@comcast.net or 360-807-4044.