Burns Seaman Saw Real Action
Seaman 2/c George A. Holly, son of Mr. and Mrs. William F. Holly, 2910 Avenue D, is a gunner on the U. S. S. Burns, the plucky little destroyer credited with the sinking of four Jap ships Jan. 31.
Part of a task force, the Burns had been delegated by Rear Admiral Frederick S. Sherman to rescue the crew of a downed torpedo bomber. It was after the stranded aviators had been picked up that the four Jap ships were encountered – a medium tanker, a medium-sized transport, and two smaller craft armed with machine guns. The destroyer closed in and opened fire, exploding the oil tanker with the second salvo. Within half an hour the three remaining ships were destroyed and the Burns was on her way back to the task force.
Seaman Holly has been in the navy since November, 1942. He was assigned to the Burns on completion of his basic training in the gunnery school at Great Lakes. He has seen action in both the Atlantic and Pacific.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sunday, February 13, 1944, Page 3
