WILLIAM C. HOLLAND, AMM3/C, born April 8, 1924 in Joliet, IL, joined the USN, June 2, 1943 and was assigned to the USS Washington February 1944. He was stationed in V Div. and achieved the rank of AMM3/c.

He was aboard for all engagements, campaigns and battles starting with the Bonins and Marianas (Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam) through the Okinawa Jima campaign and discharged Dec. 9, 194.5.

His memorable experiences: went through typhoon of Dec. 17-19, 1944; 1st air attack, terrific noise made by their anti-aircraft guns; 1st kamikaze attack; the power of the 16" guns when they were fired for bombardment. He was awarded the American Theater Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal w/2 Battle Stars, Philippine Independence Medal and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.

Holland retired as supervisor after 40 years with the Chicago Refinery of Union Oil Co., of California.

He married Beverley Evans, Aug. 11, 1945 and they have two daughters, Terrie and Gail, two grandsons, Jeffrey and Scott, two granddaughters, Janelle and Amy and two great-grandsons, Marc and Christopher.

MARTIN W HOLLOWAY, SF2/C, born July 30, 1923 in Harnette Co.. NC, the son of James Wesley and Ada Campbell Holloway. He joined the USN in December of 1940. After boot camp in Norfolk. VA assigned to the USS Washington and remained on the ship for four and a half years. Served in the 5th Div. and later in the (R) Div. and made shipfitter second class.

The most memorable experience was when the Washington crossed the equator for the first time, he was in sick bay. The second time the Washington crossed the equator, he got a special summons for hiding under the blankets of the sick bay, and he got an initiation he will never forget.

On Feb. 4. 1946, he went to Alabama and married Marcelle Hill and they've had 51 years together. He was discharged in December of 1946. Retired from Reynolds Metals Company as an electrician after 34 years. They have one daughter, Ladonice Wier, and two sons, Martin Jr. and Dewayne and eight grandchildren.

HAROLD E. HOLM, born Feb. 15, 1923 on a farm near Story City, IA, joined the USN. Sept. 30, 1942 and went to San Diego NTS in California.

He went aboard the USS Washington at New Caledonia Jan. 21. 1943 and was assigned to B Div.. #3 fire room. He was asked to join the oil gang "Oil King" March 9, 1944.

His memorable experience includes the collision with USS Indiana; typhoons, bombardment of Iwa Jima and 79 continuous days at sea.

He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific w/12 Stars, Philippine Liberation w/2 Stars, Good Conduct. Victory Ribbon and the American Area.

After his discharge on March 6, 1946 from the US Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, IL he returned to Story City, IA. and started farming, which he continued until retirement in 1986. He married Gladys Owenson in 1949 and had two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren. Gladys died in 1985 and he remarried Jean Kraemer in 1987. He and Jean are retired in Bella Vista. AR.

PAUL JOHN HOOVER, S1/C, remembers most what happened on the USS Washington. he was standing on the boat deck and his legs were spreading apart. He went to his division officer and told him the ship was breaking apart. Hoover showed the officer and the officer laughed and told him it was an expansion strip. At age 17 it was all new to him. The officer said if they didn't have it. the ship would break apart; When the GQ's alarm sounded, he ran to his 40mm and a Jap plane was along side the ship. The gunner in the plane was dead. The pilot had turned the plane into the side of the ship to commit suicide. The Marine on the 20mm hit the plane and blew it up. Hoover hit the deck and thanked God for saving his life. He was discharged Feb. 7, 1946 with a Good Conduct Medal and 21 Battle Stars. He has been married 51 years and has four children, and is in good health.

CLAYDON D. HOUSEMAN, S1/C, born Oct. 1925, 1924, in the town of Ridgeway, NY. He was drafted and joined the USN on April 12, 1943. After spending seven weeks: at Sampson NTS he was shipped out to Pearl Harbor and assigned to the USS Washington, July 10, 1943, with 1st Div., special sea duty as a leadsman.

He remembers their collision with the USS Indiana. He was in the 16" handling room when the fire alarm sounded. He ran top side to his fire station, frame 10. It was dark and someone grabbed him and kept him from running off the bow. He sure would like to know who the shipmate was that saved him.

They were watching one of their task force on the horizon having an air attack, when all of a sudden there was a huge black plane with a red emblem flying along the side of the ship. It was so close you could see the pilot and the gunner. A Marine on a 20mm shot it down and you could see the holes the shells had made.

At Iwo Jima they were backed up about a mile off shore, they were in condition A. He was taking soundings on the fantail, there was no bottom at 65 fathoms. He looked up and saw a Jap tank coming down the beach toward their landing. He reported it and one of their 5" mounts took it out.

He was honorably discharged on Jan. 31, 1946 as a seaman first class. He received a Victory Medal, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific w/8 Stars and the Philippine Liberation w/2 Stars.

On April 27. 1946 he married Lorraine Wilson. He worked in construction for 31 years and retired as president of Houseman and Fisher Construction. They have a son, Mark and a daughter, Debra. They also have three wonderful grandchildren. He and Lorraine enjoy spending their time traveling, fishing, golfing and bowling.