Oral history interview with Simeon O. Holloway who discusses his recollections from the time period 1942-1945 while serving in the United States Navy B-1 Band.
Simeon O. Holloway is an African American educator, musician, actor, and veteran of the United States Navy. Holloway was a native of Gary, Indiana. In 1942, Holloway was living in Durham, N.C. attending North Carolina Central University when he enlisted in the Navy. Holloway was assigned to the United States Navy B-1 Band, the first all-African American Navy Band, during World War II. He was stationed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Norfolk, Virginia, and Manana Barracks, Hawaii before being honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Musician Second Class. Holloway played saxophone and was known to his fellow sailors as "Butch." Following his service, Holloway worked as a drama teacher and an actor. He appeared in several TV series and films, including Hill Street Blues, Little House on the Prairie, Skag, Sanford, and Trouble Man. Later in life, Holloway as an active member of AARP Chapter 4395 in Las Vegas.
Encoded by Nanette Hardison, October 27, 2008
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