Just to honor my brother Byron S. Whigham who served aboard the USS Hollister in 1966,67,68. He passed away in January of 2010 and we buried him with full Naval Honors!! He spent 25 years in the Navy and retired with the rank of Senior Chief. I loved my brother and what he did to serve his country. He was so proud of being a Navy man. I just had to write this for him and his memory!! Thank You and may God bless each and everyone of the men that has served on the USS Hollister DD788.

An old friend of mine the former FN (E3)Allyn R. Smith(now age 83)would like to make contact with plank owners of USS Hollister DD788. He was an original crew member of the March 29, 1946 launch of that ship. His phone is 301 698-9892 (Frederick, MD) He does NOT have a computer or an email address. If your a shipmate from that time please give him a call. Thanks...

The photos of the Hollister are amazing! Thanks so much. Really enjoyed browsing this site - inspirational! And thanks to all the crew for their service!

I am the Mayor of the City of Excelsior. The body of my address for the Memorial Day program at Excelsior Elementary School revolves around the Hollister Boys.

The Ultimate Sacrifice - Individually, as a family, as a community.

Thank you all for your service.

God Bless America.

Served on the Hollister after boot camp from early 1952 until early 1954 when I left to go to Submarine School. Left as an EN3. I was part of the crew on the Captain's Gig among other duties. If anyone remembers me, drop me a note and I'll reply.

just got out of hospital... had another heart attach and alsom seigures
doing better just resting for a while

Hi, I was on Holister from 1971 to 1973 as
an IC2 joined the navy to see the world, got a good start.

I server on the Holister from 71 to 72.
I was an Engineman.
I would like to hear from the old gang also.
Rich Brown
Ron Jenson
Huthision
Fish.
Greg Lumly.

Greetings
Many of you know my dad, George Swisher. He served on the Hollister 1950-1953. He is recovering at home from open heart surg. He would appreciate hearing from anyone regardless if you served with him or not! Add: 6180 N. State Hwy. 7, Scipio, IN 47273. E-mail gswisher@frontier.com.
Thanks, Wes Swisher

Hi folks, I servedon the Hollister from 1954 untill 1957. Made 4 cruises to the far east and able to go to New Zeland. I was personalman while on board

My father, Jake Hirschfelt, Akron OH, served on the USS Holister during the Korean War. My mother was a wave from Buffalo. They were both stationed in San Diego.

I served on the Holly from 1971 to 73 as a signalman. guys I remember from the OC Div are the Boyce twins, Kent Phenice, Doug Brown, Rich Gagliolo. the 1972 to 73 WesPac cruise was crazy. the early AM raid with the other 2 DD's and aircraft from some carrier was the highlight for me. Singapore, Hong Kong, Subic...seems like all great times now...couldnt wait to get out back then.

Served from 1955-1957 as a TM3, glad to know the Hollister is still afloat. Glad to hear that they have a reunion, hope to make one

Anyone know my father during the Korean War. His name was Paul Fuchs. Would really like to hear from anyone who know him.

Was a Radioman on the Hollister. Came onboard in April '66 and left in October '68. Some great times were had there !!

I was the IC man on the decommissioning crew. Enjoyed serving on the Hollister and cruising up and down the coast. Did a lot of plane guard.

Served onboard as BT3 in charge of #3 fireroom, Made the last Nam cruse, where we receive an award for shooting the most shots for that class of ship (over 10,000 shells) and the many runs onto the beach to get the enemy attention 1971- decommission

Served on board July 57 - July 60 as a Yeoman.

I have enjoyed the various reunions I have attended. It is great to see "old" shipmates again.

just found the holly page... interesting.... served aboard from fall of 65 to the spring of 67......

Hi there shipmates
Just found this site, it's neat.

Served on board from '65-'69.

It went from bored to tears to slam bang action, weeks of it on the gun line,
with Operation Sea Dragon

Serve on her in late 70's I was a machinst mate foreward engine room. Looking for a good friend named Raymond Taylor Boiler mate in after boiler room.

served 64 - 66. Sonar gang. Good and bad memories. Tonkin gulf was hot hell hole, radar picket and torpedo shot one hot night.

Hi,
My husband has a group member that has been turned down for PTSD twice. He was on the Hollister approx. 1969-1973.
He said the Hollister actually had gone up some of the rivers so that they would become Brown Water Navy. He has has PTSD and DMII. He really needs some help. Did read that Doug Brown RM2 was on the DD788, about the same time Any help would be greatfull. Also was denied for Agent Orange. Thank You.

A Navy wife.

Was stunned to be stationed in Long Beach aboard the Holly!! At first site I thought, "will that thing float". But, what great memories and friendships till this day. We encountered a lot of dificult times which only made us a tighter crew. Was part of the decom crew in 1979. What a sad in naval history. Our loss was the Taiwan navy gain. Also, had a good 18 months of brother duty aboard the Holly!!

I served on board the USS Hollister from May 1955 to Octobeer 1956. Arrived as a fireman and departed as a MR3. I very much enjoyed serving with my crew mates and would like to hear from any of them. I was assigned to A-gang and was the on board machinist. I hope to hear from any old shipmates soon. 325 280 8474

Served on the Hollister from July 1950 to the spring of 1951. CDR Miller was the skipper. Stood OD watches most of the time.

I SERVED ON THE HOLLISTER 69-70 I WAS A GMG3 AND ASSIGNED TO GUN MOUNT 1 AS GUN CAPTAIN WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE ALOT OF OUR SHIPS THAT DID GUN SUPPORT OFF OF VIETNAM QUALIFY FOR AGENT ORANGE COVERAGE, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE HOLLISTER IS ONE OF THEM

Served 1956 - 1959 RD3 3 westpacs with Losli, Greenwood, Digeralamo, Greening, Betencourt and more I can't recall. My first ship.

Served on the Rupertus DD 851 '65-'66, Hollister DD788 '66-68, and the Henry W. Tucker DD 875 '68-70 as a Sonar Tech.

Just taking a trip down nostalgia lane. I served on the Hollister 1966-67 while she was home ported in Yokosuka. I was a BT3 in the forward fireroom. We spent lots of days on the gun line and running plane guard in the Gulf of Tonkin. My God it was hot. Enjoyed going to Hong Kong, PI, and different places in Japan.

just wanted to say thanks for the cards and calls and prayers after me being sick . i am now in a wheelchair due to anotherstoke heart problems and cliots. also copd. i am not going to be able to return to work so i am at home with my lovely wife some of you met in branson missouir' hope to see ya'll in Charleston in Sept 2010 .kep praying f was on the hollister in 1965-1968

I served aboard the Hollister as an ET (ETR2) from 1965 til Nov 1967. Have some great memories from those days.

Is was the right decision to join the Navy. I was lucky to serve with such a great crew onboard the USS Hollister 1973-1976

I served on the USS Hollister DD788 from 1969-1971. I was a ship fitter. Would love to hear from anyone else that served on the Hollister during this time.

Was on the USS Black DD-666 55/59 My Big Brother was on her 53/58 i was a GM & Brother was TM he retired out of Navy 1972 TMC Home port Long Beach made 3 west Pac 56/ 57/ 58.

I Served on the Hollister from june 1965 till December 1966. Work in the engine room. Looking for Wayne Golish or Pat Haverty and also the Irish man Jim Rush that was on the ship around the same time. Paul Addison is in the Denver area retired from United Airlines. Made two West PAC cruises left the ship Dec 66 in Japan.

I was asked to prey on phones during firefights outloud as requested...Alot happened,I was the crazy scarred up Indian learning Kung Fu with a few onboard...R Division..Rich Brown...Pootie? All of you shipmates...thanks for the great memories and thanks for being such a great crew...One more time a buddist prayer: NAM YO HO RANG GAY KIIYO I prey for all who served on our great ship the USS HOLLISTER DD788, the grey ghost...

just an update on doug hishealth has gone down was recently in for another heart stent ,copd andblood clot all last week .i am at home now .. hope to hear from shipmates. we were at the 2008 branson trip andmet alot of ya'll

Was a Cadet and Officer that was assigned to the ship. From 1974-it's end. Did a lot of training there.

Served on the Grey Ghost 61-63 as an RM2. Came on board for FRAM, stayed for sea trials and a Westpac tour.

I served on the U.S.S. Hollister from March of 1957 til December of 1958. I was a Gunner's Mate - Seaman Ist Class.

SERVED ON THE HOLLISTER 1969-1970.FALLING INTO THE HOLE MUST OF BEEN CONTAGIOUS. WHILE WORKING NIGHT MESS COOK I HAD TO CARRY A DEEP DISH STEAM PAN FULL OF JELLO DOWN TO THE REEFER DECKS. WELL I SLIPPED DOWN THE LADDER, JELLO EVERY WHERE AND DID'NT EVEN WAKE ANY ONE UP IN SONAR. 3RD CLASS SHAUB, THE NIGHT COOKIE, IS PROBABLY STILL LAUGHING

USS Hollister was my first duty station upon graduating from Naval Academy. Joined ship in Hong Kong and finished that Westpac cruise in Dec 1962.Transferred Dec 1963 to DESRON 3 Staff homeported Yokosuka.

Served on Hollister as a BT 1973-1974. She had just got back from a WESPAC and half the crew had gone crazy. We did a fews runs up and down Calif coast.I remember a Lt Bannister who was a wild man. Also remember a guy nicknamed Pork Chop who stepped on the ladder going into the hole,slipped on the first step and zoomed straight down to the lower deck feet first.The deck plates gave way and saved him from injury. He was stunned he was unhurt. It was very strange watching him feel fall 2 storys.

I am entering this information for Truman who served aboard the Hollister from Jan. 1948 -Aug. 1950. He would love to hear from anyone, especially Earnest Woodruff (originally from Fresno, CA). Thank you to all who served. Susan Greene

I served on the Hollister 1961 - 1964, my job classification gunnersmate.

Served on the Hollister 1969 to 1973. 2 westpac tours.Engineman 2

Served on the Holister Jan 1978 until decommissioning Aug 1978. She was in the Reserve Fleet then. We would go out with the reservists one weekend a month, usually off the coast of San Diego following aircraft carriers. We had an interesting 2 week summer cruise with the reservist in 78. Went up the sacramento river to Stockton, then spent time up off the canadian coast trying to refuel in rough seas.Got real "salty". I have a greater respect for the "old Boat" now that I've read the postings here.

I served on the Hollister for a short time in 1953. I was a Yeoman. I transferred to the Hollister from the heavy cruiser USS Helena CA-75. Haven't seen anyone I served with since discharge from Navy in January 1954.

I served as deckhand and Torpedoman on the "Grey Ghost" from '63-'66, and made two West-Pac cruises in '64 and '65.

Had some great shipmates and some experiences that I'll never forget.

Served aboard the Jolly Holly from September 1975 to October 1977. Went to the Portland Rose Festival in May of '77. Drilled many "holes" off the SOCAL coast playing war games.

I'm proud to have a ship named after our family. I just found out about the Three Hollister Brothers. I named my Chopper motorcycle "Cerberus" it barks as loud as a three headed dog. Welcome home shipmates I did time on the USS Forrestal back when. Thank you for your service.

Sincerely Clayton Hollsiter Commander American Legion Riders Omaha

I served in the Hollister from January 1952 until September 1954, initially as Electronic Repair Officer and then as Communications Officer. I was temporarily assigned to the DesDiv 112 flagship patrolling Wonsan harbor at the time of the July 1952 landing party incident referred to in the box; so I missed the fun. My roommate, Ensign Jim Klein, led the party. Since he suffered from chronic seasickness, some unkind folks said he just wanted to get ashore. Actually, he was pretty gung ho and transferred to UDT service (precursor to SEALs)shortly afterward.

Served aboard the Holli-maru from 1963 to 1966 as an ET.

My first wife stole or lost all my Cruise books, so I have lost track of all my shipmates.

It's good to hear stories about this ship. My grandfather was on the good ship Hollister back in 1946. I am in the navy now serving in Washington. Keeping the tradition alive.

I served from 1973 - 1976 or there abouts.

I spent a short time on Hollister, Aug '72 -Feb '73. What an adventure! We fired almost 15,000 5" shells during that WESTPAC cruise. I was the most junior ENS, just out of the Naval Academy and on my way to flight school in Mar '73. A great experience, rarely a dull moment. We ran over a Viet Cong mine, were shot at by coastal guns, and got tangled in fishing lines, delaying our trip to Singapore. We even got to initiate a group of lowly pollywogs into the Realm of King Neptune.

was on the hollester dd788 from 1956-1958 would to here from anyone thanks

MM3 Craig Roberts
Served on Hollister from 01/77 to 05/79
"M" Div Aft engine rm and Main Control. Worked in Engineering Office. Was part of the Decomm crew. We had a great crew during those years.. Kept her together with determination raw grit and lots of coffee to barter for parts with.
Calm winds and fair seas you all.

Hello fellow Sailors. I was on Hollister 71-75. I have only found 1 other ship mate from that time.I was hoping to hear from others.

The Holly Maru was the best ship I served aboard out of the five I was on during my 10 year hitch in the Navy. I was a BT2 in the After Fire Room and was stationed on Hollister from 1969 until 1972. Made two WESTPACs on her and another one on USS John Paul Jones (DDG32). The Hollister crew was a great bunch of Sailors.

Hello From CW Bond ;I served on the Hollister DD788 from Dec; 1 untill november 1949.

On the Hollister from 1959 to 1963,AC&R school,USS MANN Tap-112,Pack Res Flt San Diego,USS NIAGRA FALLS Afs-3,FAST School,USS AJAX AR-6 in Sasebo,NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND,Marijuana Detection Dog Handler School,USS KITTY HAWK CV-63,USS REANGER CV-61,NSA SEATTLE Wa,MMC Retired 30 APRIL 1980.

Served on board from early 1962 to June,1964, MM2 in the foward engine room and "A" Gang. I have a lot of good memories from those days.

Served U.S.S. Hollister ~ DD788 as Quartermaster 3rd Class from 1966-1969. Would love to hear from my former shipmates.

I served on the Hollister in 1997 & 1998 during a Westpac cruise. I am excited to be able to correspond with Hollister shipmates and I like the website. I will be joining in the reunion in September.

Surfing for Battle Star information on USS Hollister and stopped by.

just wanted to say Had a Great time in Branson in Sept .. Looking forward to 2009

Does any body remember how much time we spent in da nang harbor. and many times we were there. Was on hollister 72-73 BT2

Served aboard in 1946 and 1947. discharge Nov. 1947. was in the torpedo gang. will ans any e-mails. don't remember to much any more, but was good times.

Went onboard 1959 as FA right out of boot camp. I was in the after fire room for about a year then to the after engine room. Made MM3 and shiped over in 1961. Went to AC&R School. Then went to the DD651, MCS2, AOR1, AS18, and AS40. Made MMCM then later changed rate to MACM and continued my Navy career until 1981. What a great bunch of sailors. I attend all the reuions that I can get too.

All you mates that have changed your e-mail address should let us know, that way we can get Hollister Reunion info out to you.

See You all in SanDiego Sept. 23rd. 09.
Reunion 21.

I was on board from 76-79 as a sonarman. Duties included weapons handler, torpedoman and security force. Worst storm I remember was off the coast of california when we took a 44 degree roll. All the bolts started snaping on the mast and gun mounts. Water was always coming over the bridge. Most interesting evolution was unreping.

The only times I could have interacted with USS Holister was if she deployed with USS Wiltsie (DD716) in 1959 - 1960 or provided target services to USS Daniel Boone (SSBN 629)during the 1967 - 1969 time frame.

It's anexcellent web site.

I have a lot of good times on her ! I service aboard from March 1,1973 till August 30,1976.

Great website - I served on USS Epperson DDE 719 out of Pearl Harbor - classmate of Joe Vercellotti.

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