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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Navy Veteran and Navy.Togetherweserved.com Member:
SN Thurman Hillis (US Navy 1958-1964)
WHAT PERSUADED YOU TO JOIN THE Navy?
 Growing up with memories and stories from my brothers about WWII and Korea, I never had any doubts about service to my country. Two of my brothers served in the US Army in WWII, in France and Germany, while the one just above me in age served in the Navy during the Korean War. He enlisted in the Army after his four years in the Navy and retired with 27 years of service. I had all good intentions of completing high school before going into the service, but my father was a farm laborer and having difficulty making ends meet. I felt that I would be one less mouth to feed and I could help by sending money home, which I did during my service years. I had originally wanted to join the Marines, but my mother was opposed to this and was only willing to give her permission if I went into the Navy. Another stipulation was that I complete my high school education, as neither my Mom or Dad had graduated from high school. The Navy Recruiter said would be no problem and my Mom relented and gave her permission.
BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH IN THE SERVICE?
My brother was a Gunners Mate in the Navy and I thought this wold be an interesting job, based on what he had told me about his experiences. However my first duty station was at the Harbor Defense Unit at Point Loma, California on the old army base, and there was no GM positions there. I ended up as a deck hand on a 64' cable repair boat. I really enjoyed my time there, but in just over a year they closed the base. Myself and another Sailor were assigned to the USS Coral Sea and headed for re-commissioning training at the San Diego Naval Station. While assigned to the deck force in Bremerton, WA, I became acquainted with the SM Chief who talked me into becoming a signalman. He sent me to signal school in Long Beach, CA and I was assigned to the Signal Gang on my return, until my discharge.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS?
We never saw any combat action, but our pilots were involved in support operations in Vietnam and Laos during 1961 and 1962.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
It’s hard to say which memory stands out the most, as there are good ones and bad ones. The good memories are the ones about the great group of young men I served with and the places I saw. Places I would have never had the chance to visit on my own. I can recall the places I visited in Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines just like it was yesterday.. What beautiful places! Then there are the sad ones. The ones I witnessed or heard had happened while on the Coral Sea. Our Cruise Book has a list of those, like me, who never thought they would not be returning home. After all we were at peace. One of the really bad memories was while I was standing watch on the signal bridge one night, when one of the aircraft crashed upon landing killing the pilot and several flight deck personnel who were in the catwalks. These memories I try not to think about. Then there are the memories that some may call bad and other call good. Those are the memories of the chow. I thought the food was the best and thought it was great to have a chow hall open around the clock. I guess it depended your background to determine whether you liked the food or not.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU...AND WHY?
I guess that would be Chief Tennison. He was the Company Commander in boot camp. During my second month of boot camp, I was diagnosed with pleurisy and transferred to the Balboa Naval Hospital for a month of treatment. Chief Tennison realized how traumatic this was for me and took the time to explain what was going to happen. He said that I would be back in basic training as soon as I got better, and would be placed in a company that was at the same stage of training. I never saw hin again, but recall that at a time when I felt very insecure he had the compassion to take time for me.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
 I was discharged the day we returned from our Westpac Cruise in July 1962, I had met with the career counselor a month before. The offer the counselor made was very tempting, but I was married and wanted to start a family. I was told that I would be promoted to E-4, but it would be sea duty for a while. I left Alameda that day and returned to my hometown of Stevinson, CA. I worked in a poultry plant until November of 1963, when I tested for the position of Patrolman with the City of Merced, CA. I was hired and worked there from 1964 to 1968, when I took a position as Immigration Patrol Inspector with the Border Patrol. I was stationed at Calexico, CA and went to the Border Patrol Academy in Los Fresnos, TX. I stayed with that position until I completed probation and then resigned as this was not the career I wanted. I returned to the Merced Police Department and worked there until 1971 when I took a position as a Special Agent for the AT&SF Railway. I worked for them until I took a buyout in 1990. I had worked through the ranks to Assistant Chief in Amarillo, TX. I tried selling insurance and did some PI work until I was offered a position as a Patrolman for the Houston Belt and Terminal Railroad. I was promised the Chief’s job when he retired but that never came to pass. The railroad was taken over by the Union Pacific Railroad and I was one of the 5 Patrolmen selected to work for the new company. I worked there as a Background Investigator, Lieutenant, and Captain until I retired in 2007. My wife and I currently travel the country in our RV.
How has serving in the Navy influenced the way you now approach your life and career?
Before entering the Navy, I had very low self esteem and was becoming involved with a group that was destined for failure. When I went into the Navy, I had one of those friends who joined the Army. He went into basic training in San Luis Obispo, CA and could not cut it. He stuck a pencil in his ear and was discharged. I lost track of him until one day I was booking a prisoner and heard someone call my name. It was him and he was awaiting trial for Grand Theft. He was found guilty and spent some time in the California State Prison System. I used to wonder what would have happened to me if I had not decided to go into the Navy. My years in the service have taught me to approach everything I do with a "Can Do" attitude. This attitude has allowed me to get my college degree while working full time and to advance through the ranks in my chosen profession.
HOW HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU TO MAINTAIN A BOND WITH THE SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
I check the “Profile of the Day” every morning, at the same time I check my e-mails. By reading those profiles, I am able to see the changes in the Navy since I have left. I see that my rate is no more and there are all types of new rates since my discharge. It also makes me very proud to see those young men and women who are continuing the Navy Tradition. Their commitment to serve our Great Country makes me proud to have been a sailor, even if it was for a short time. I have only located two sailors who were in my division, but have located a lot of others who served on the Coral Sea at the same time as I did. We occasionally communicate via e-mails.
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SN Thurman Hillis
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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 Major Wesley Prater HERE.
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