Johns' Biography     

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Born in October of 1959 in Ft Riley Kansas. I was the youngest of 3 kids. My sister Vilura being the eldest, then one year younger, my brother Ben. I was born 10 years later. I think personally I came as  a big surprise to EVERYONE. . .

My father Rebel Lee Holcomb was a Non - Commissioned Officer in the United States Army and was sent to Viet Nam in 1964. In November of 1965 my father was Killed in action. My Sister married and my brother left home, to go to live in California, in 1966. Some people still wonder why he is, like he is.

Then for some unknown reason, at the age of 8,  my mother, sent me to Ponca City Military Academy, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Upon returning home I found out she had sold the house and moved into an apartment . Boy, I am glad she FINALLY let me know where it was. Not that this was bad, for you see it was beside a lake and I was able to swim and fish to my hearts content. Unfortunately I had a habit of also falling thru the ice in the winter. . . .

At the age of 10 we moved to Denver, Colorado so she could start a new job. I was enrolled into Aurora South Junior High School and managed not to become to noticed.

High School was another story. In the 3 years that I was enrolled in High School ( I say enrolled because I wasnt always there) I managed to attend 4 different Centers for HIGHER education.

None of which really impressed me that much, or allowed me to graduate ! ! !

Then the Wanderlust Set In. . .

I joined the Navy at the ripe old age of 17 years and 2 days, I was the youngest in my Recruit Training Company. But I managed to Graduate 2nd in the Company behind a Karl McGeehee.

After Boot and Apprenticeship Training I was assigned to the USS Coral Sea. An aged aircraft carrier with a somewhat harried reputation. I was assigned to #1 Main Engine and was IMMEDIATELY told to forget everything I had been taught to that point. At the age of 17  I was setting out on the US Navy's imfamous West Pac Cruise. After 8 months of traveling the Pacific Ocean being chased by runaway aircraft in the Hangar Bay and tripping as many of the Marine Personel as they ran past me during Security Alerts we Returned to the United States. . . 8 days before my 18th birthday. I had joined an elite few in the United States Navy . . . . I was a true blue, dyed in the wool, KIDDIE CRUISER. I had crossed "Shit River", separating the US Naval Base in Subic, from the town of Olongapo and survived. I had drank of the ambrosia known as MOJO. Been exposed to Women of the Night ( and day, for that matter) and managed to come back single and disease free. No small feat, if you have ever been there.

Upon our arrival back into the U.S. the ship was sent to Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard in Bremerton, Wa. for major overhaul. It was there that I perfected two aspects of my life. Beer Drinking and Foosball. I enjoyed both with great enthusiasm. I purchased a Van and proceeded to remain Drunk and/or Stoned for the next year that we spent there. Bremerton is a great little town but not much to do.

After the Overhaul we were once again deployed to the Pacific. We visited all the ports of call that I loved so much on the first cruise and added a couple more. In addition to Pearl Harbor, HI    Subic Bay, P.I.    Yokosuka, Japan    Pusan, Korea  we went to Pattaya Beach, Thailand and Singapore. Singapore has since become my favorite asian destination. I will go back again. Also on this cruise I was initiated into the Fraternal Order of Shellbacks, no longer was I a lowly Wog not worthy to grace Neptunes presence. I had crossed the equators and suffered the indignities and trials. I would henceforth be given the right to beat all pollywogs as they are welcomed to Neptunes Realm. It was on this cruise that I became an ESWS - Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. I was the youngest to have recieved it. . . 19 years old and the lowest in rank. I was still an E-3. After recieving that award I was soon made Machinist Mate 3rd Class. I became an E.R. topwatch and inport Engineering Officer of the Watch. Very unusual since I was only an E-4 and this was usually held by officers. U

Upon Returning from my 2nd Cruise the ship was put alongside the pier for another overhaul. It was during this last overhaul I became a frocked MM2. Never attaining the paygrade because I got out before I was formally advanced.

I spent 3 years 8 months and 21 days aboard that ship and hated every minute of it. Yet while surfing thru the net about a year ago, I found pictures of the Coral Sea being stripped and scrapped. Unfortunately, I must admit I got a lump in my throat.

I got out of the Navy still not 21 and went back to Colorado. I got a job in a hotel and was studying to get my Civil Engineering Operators Certificate when I realized, I hadnt seen enough of the world yet.

I re-enlisted and was assigned to the USS Fanning FF-1076. A ship in what was originally a destroyer escort  and then re classified a frigate. Named after Nathaniel Fanning, A revolutionary war hero. I was put in charge of the Engine room and soon was sent over seas again. The same things I had experienced on a Carrier was completely different on a Frigate. you became closer to the entire crew, officers included. We were mainly an anti-sub picket but we did have some minor Air Defense capabilities. I was assigned not 2 weeks before deployment on another WesPac. That Cruise was very uneventful. We Returned and I was soon sent to my first shore station. As a machinist mate I had a great rotation 5 years sea duty to 2 years shore duty. Oh joy. I spent my shore tour at Sima San Diego. working in both the Valve Shop and the Pump Shop. During this assignment I was advanced to MM1 (sw) .

I was then assigned to the USS Leahy CG-16 a cruiser out of San Diego. My first day on the Leahy, I watched as they fired CIWS at a towed target. The shots parted the tow cable and the target damn near passed thru the bridge striking mere inches below the bridge windows. I am sure many pants were changed that day. as I walked forward I found officers and enlisted playing with parts from the target, many were putting their fingers in the holes created by the depleted uranium rounds. The cores although made of depleted uranium we still very highly Radioactive. This was going to be fun. I could tell already.I was once again put in charge of an Engine Room. After a hectic cruise working for an unreasonable division officer I made a decision to get out and stay out. I left the ship in Perth Australia and flew back to the States via Sydney, Australia; Sasebo, Japan; Angeles City, and Olongapo City Phillipine Islands; Anchorage, Alaska and finally I reached Navsta 32nd St. were I was more than happy to go back to Colorado.

I returned to civilian life in May of 1985. I spent some time in Palm Springs/Indio Ca. with my mother. I then returned to Colorado and went to work for a number of different companies. The one job I had that I really enjoyed was working at Sonesta in Thornton Co. it was a live rock bar. I became a doorman and then a bartender. I had a very good time there. . . In late 1990 I went back to California to be closer to my Mom who was suffering with emphysema. My mother is best described as a true matriarch. If you want a celebrity likeness it would be a taller, meaner, Judge Judy.

In 1992 I returned to Denver and went to work at a local pawn shop. Although the pay wasn't that great it is an interesting line of work. After spending 4 years with that company I quit and went to work for a local firearms dealer. Personal conflicts ended that job rather quickly. I went to work for another local pawn shop, with my nephew. He quit after a bit a falling out with the owner of the shop leaving the owner and I to run it. Then on April 22nd, 2000 two little gangbangers came in and robbed me at gunpoint. I was shot and spent 5 days in the hospital and another 2 weeks at my sisters recovering. At this time I am still convalescing.

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