USS HOUSTON CA 30

“The galloping Ghost of the Java Coast”

John A. Hollowell Jr.

John A. Hollowell was born in Memphis in 1900 and attended schools there and at Marion Academy in Alabama prior to entering the Naval Academy. Graduating from the Academy in 1922 he served on destroyers for five years. He was then assigned to submarine duty for two years. Requesting shore duty, he was assigned to the Bureau of Ordinance at the Naval Gun Factory. In 1927 aboard the U.S.S. Osbourne in Nicaragua, he participated in the 2nd Nicaraguan Campaign to rescue U.S. soldiers from native rebels. In 1932, he asked for duty in Asia and was sent to Tsingtao, China to command the U.S. S. Pigeon, a submarine salvage vessel. After his return to the U.S., he attended courses at the Experimental Diving Unit in New London, CT, served with Submarine Squad Three, and saw duty in the Canal Zone. In 1938, he reported to the U.S.S. Wyoming during which time he developed an improved procedure for underwater welding. After a tour of duty in Norfolk, VA, the Asiatic Fleet requested his services in the summer of 1941. Before he could report, his assignment was changed, and he reported to the U.S.S. Houston in September of 1941 with the rank of Commander as the Navigator. The Houston had arrived in Manila in November of 1940 when she became flagship of Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander Asiatic Fleet.

During the Battle of the Java Sea, the deaths of Capt. Rook and the Executive Officer put him in command. He was last seen, directing the Abandon Ship maneuvers. His survivors included his mother, brother, wife and two small children. He was awarded the Purple Heart.