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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
BM1 Arthur R Holland U.S Coast Guard (1941-1945)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE COAST GUARD?
Arthur "Bob" Holland passed away on March 27, 2014. Long before his passing, he became friends with retired Coast Guard officer Lieut. Robert McAllister. McAllister, a member of USCG TWS, helped Bob write his Reflections and filled in the unfinished sections when Bob was no longer able. 
McAllister was a member of the same Masonic Lodge as Bob and discovered Bob was also a former Coast Guardsman. He also learned Bob, already a friend of McAllister's brother (who passed away in 2000), started out working in a grocery store as he had and that his dad and Bob were both in the printing business. Conversation between the two would generally evolve around the Coast Guard and their mutual loved for the sea.
When McAllister joined Together We Served and filled out his profile, he realized Bob's World War II service would be of great interest to other Coast Guard TWS members. An equal motivation was to make sure Bob's military legacy would be available for his family for decades to come. Thus began countless conversations and documentation of Bob's recollection of his days in the US Coast Guard.
When Bob traveled to the WW II Memorial in Washington, D.C., one of McAllister's fellow Mason, Darel Scoggin, accompanied him. It was one of the Honor Flights put on by the Grand Lodge of California, F&AM for Masons that participated in WW II. According to Darel, Bob was a hit with both the ladies and children wherever he went.
Bob had one request McAllister was unable to fulfill: to find out whatever happened to his promotion to Boatswain's Mate 1st Class. McAllister was never able to connect to the right party to get any information on the promotion. "I also found that it is even confusing for me to obtain info on myself," wrote McAllister.
As time passed Bob's hearing became a growing problem so a lot more of his story was never documented. Following however is some of Arthur Bob" Holland's story in his own words, as well as those filled in by McAllister.
------Editor
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I graduated from High School in 1939 and started working at a grocery store in Van Nuys, California, working up to the position of head cashier. On December 7, 1941, a co-worker said, "Bobby, the Japs just bombed Pearl Harbor!" My reply was "So what?" He asked, "Do you know where Pearl Harbor is?" and I replied, "No." He told me that Pearl Harbor was in Hawaii. At that point I informed my boss that I was going to be joining the military. My boss told me he could get me a deferment. When I refused his offer he told me that my job would be held for me and when I returned he would try to give me my own store.
 Wink, my friend, and I went to the Marine Corps Recruiter and were told the Marine Corps was a six-year enlistment. We also went to the Army Air Corps, but I didn't like the idea of flying. We then went to the Coast Guard Recruiter and the Recruiter stated that you can become a regular and serve for four years, or, as a reservists, it would be three years, or until the war ends. This one sounded the best. We went down and took our tests. Wink's mother wouldn't sign the consent so he didn't go. I went on my own and signed up on December 17, 1941 at the Coast Guard Recruiting Office in Los Angeles.
The Recruiter said there was a draft going up on the 27th of December, which would allow us to spend Christmas at home. There was a draft of 30 guys that departed on December 27th at 6 o'clock on the Owl Train. We went to San Francisco and stopped at Coast Guard Base 11. We stayed there for a couple of days and then we shipped off for our boot training at Government Island, Alameda. We went to Treasure Island for further training.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
My first duty was at Point Reyes Coast Guard Station in Drakes Bay. I was there for a short while when they sent me over to the lighthouse. I was involved in beach patrol and standing watches in the lookout tower. Then in 1943 they sent six of us to  be assigned to a ship which turned out to be USCGC Columbine (WAGL/WLI-28), a buoy tender, but after we arrived we were told that they couldn't use us. They told us to report to 6th and Powell in San Francisco where there was a Coast Guard Station We were to wait there until they assigned us to a ship.
Before long we were all assigned to the USS Albireo (AK-90). I was on this ship for about 19 months and made six convoy trips from the west coast to various ports in the South Pacific.
While on the ship I wanted to work on the bridge in navigation. However, the Chief in charge of the bridge had to get my release from the Chief in charge of the deck. The Chief in charge of the deck wanted me to be trained as a coxswain and to work for him on the deck. Therefore, I became a Boatswains Mate. While on this ship I advances from Seaman 1st/Class, to Coxswain, to Boatswains Mate 2nd Class.  I was in charge of the after mooring stations and was the Gun Captain of the open 5-inch, 38-caliber mount on the fantail of the ship. I extended my enlistment for two years to stay on board this ship, which I equated to the cargo ship in "Mr. Roberts."
I was detached from the USS Albireo in March 1945 and reported to the 11th Naval District, reporting to Captain of the Port, Los Angeles, which was at the Wilmington Yacht Basin. I was assigned to various small craft while at this station [CG 38725, CG 38717, CG 36038, and CG 50079] doing security patrols and search and rescue.
Discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard at Wilmington, California I returned home to Van Nuys.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT, PEACEKEEPING OR HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
We traveled all over the South Pacific delivering supplies to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides in October of 1943; transferred materials and picked up cargo in Wellington, New Zealand in October and November 1943; back to New Hebrides, Tulagi, and Guadalcanal in January to April 1944; Samoa, New Guinea and Admiralty  Isles in May to September 1944; Honolulu to New Hebrides in November 1944 to February 1945.
There was no direct involvement in combat operations. However, we did transport wounded soldiers from the combat zones, with the severely wounded being taken to a hospital ship and the less severe wounded staying on the ship until we hit the next port.
At one of the island, where there was a Japanese air field nearby, the ship was at an ammo depot loading munitions. Two squadrons of Japanese light-bombers, a total of 8 planes, were spotted and my 5-inch, 38-caliber gun crew started tracking and had them in their sights. They kept yelling, "Red, we've got them, let us fire!" However, orders from the bridge were "Hold Fire, we want to take them out at sea." I was very upset and told Mr. Sweeny, the Gunnery Officer that we should have taken them on, they could have taken out the whole deck crew if they had wanted to. I also took my complaint to the bridge. The order stood and my gun crew was very disappointed in losing their one opportunity to actually take some action in this war.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My fondest memories are of the USS Albireo (AK-90) where I became very proficient in my assignments, even teaching some of the officers what we did. After the incident with the Japanese light-bombers, the XO told me that I had been selected for commission and that I would be sent  to New London for OCS.
My least favorite memory is of the USS Albireo (AK-90), when I turned down the transfer to New London. Our Captain was a Filipino, as were several of the crew, and he wanted to take the ship to the Philippines. I asked if I could receive my commission while remaining on board since I wanted to go with him. I was told that was not possible. Since I didn't want to leave the ship at that time, I turned down the appointment, a decision that I have regretted. If I had accepted, I believe that I would have stayed in the Coast Guard. I know that my wife, Adele, would have been proud and would have enjoyed the life if I had stayed in.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
The particular memory that stands out is when the XO told me that I was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in New London, CT., that the ship was recommending me for a commission.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE ONE(S) MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
He was proud of the fact that he was a Coxswain, 5-inch 38-caliber gun captain, and that he was looked up to and respected by the officers and enlisted men that he served with.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 Bob and I were not able to complete our conversation on his reflections. Several of the officers that he served under, including the Commanding Officer of the USS Albireo, thought enough of him to recommend him for a commission.
He regretted turning down the commission, which would have required him to report to New London, CT, but he felt that he needed to remain aboard the USS Albireo at that time. If he could have received the commission while remaining aboard, he would have accepted it.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
On one of our convoys we picked up wounded soldiers. The most severely wounded were transported to a hospital ship. Those with minor, or less severe,  wounds were kept onboard and traveled with us to our next destination.
I had a conversation with one of these wounded soldiers on the USS Albireo. He stated that being on ship scared him. My reply to him was, "If I was on the island that you just came from I would be changing my shorts on a regular basis."
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
After I was discharged I attended Wiggins Technical School and studied printing. I spent 24 years in that profession in the Los Angeles area.
I also took up wood-working in 1946 and enjoyed building furniture and other things. I acquired an extensive set of wood-working equipment and enjoyed the hobby up until 2010, shortly after my wife passed away.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
Bob was proud of his service in the Coast Guard and thought that everyone should have the opportunity to serve in the military.
In the Coast Guard and after he was discharged he always did his best. In his short career he advanced to Boatswain's Mate 2/c. He was advanced to Boatswain's Mate 1/c. But during his final transfers the paperwork was apparently lost.
His advice was to always do your best.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE COAST GUARD?
He felt that the Coast Guard would be a good career, again always doing your best at whatever you assignment you have.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 Bob didn't get to experience Together We Served. While I was gathering information for his reflections his hearing and eyesight were fading. Together We Served has allowed me to place/save some of his memories of his service during WWII. Bob did have the opportunity to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. The Grand Lodge of California, F. & A.M., put together "Operation Greatest Gift" to take California Masons who served during WWII to the Memorial in 2010. Bob was able to take this trip.
Following his passing on March 27, 2014, Bob was buried in the sea he loved so much.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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