March 31, 2005 - Buffalo Division vet John L. Hollins dies - Highly decorated soldier 'saw so much death' in World War II

Funeral services for John L. Hollins, 86, a longtime resident of Prichard, who served with the Army's famed all-black 92nd Infantry Division in World War II, will be at 10:30 a.m. today at the Greater Union Baptist Church on Lyons Street in Mobile.

Burial with full military honors will be in Mackey Branch Cemetery in Hollins' original hometown of Gosport in Clarke County.

Visitation will be today from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at the church.

Hollins died March 23 at his residence after a lengthy illness. He had lived in Prichard for the past 59 years.

He served with the highly decorated 92nd Infantry -- known as the Buffalo Division -- in Europe and North Africa.

Himself the recipient of about a dozen medals, Hollins served with the original elements of the 92nd, which earned 542 Bronze Stars, 82 Silver Stars, 12 Legions of Merit, two Distinguished Service Crosses and one Distinguished Service Medal in combat during World War II, records reveal.

His medals included the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with three Bronze Stars; the World War II Victory Medal; and the Good Conduct Medal, his military records show.

"He saw so much death, and a lot of his friends didn't make it back from the war," said his son, Bruce Hollins of Mount Vernon. "He testified in church that the Lord took care of him during the war."

Bruce Hollins said his father was a member of Greater Union Baptist for more than 50 years and was a member of the Deacon Board.

The president of the recently formed Alabama Chapter of the 92nd Buffalo Soldiers Association, Eddie Irby Jr. of Mobile, said Wednesday that John Hollins was a good example of black World War II veterans he has known in the area.

Irby said that although they were often treated badly by white service members in that war, they served honorably, returned home and became pillars of the community. Irby is spearheading an effort to raise some $15 million to build a museum in Prichard honoring black soldiers who served in World War II.

Irby said John Hollins served as a gasoline truck driver with the 92nd and sustained injuries when his truck overturned during an attack on his convoy. He said Hollins managed to get out of the truck before it exploded.

He added that Hollins never received a Purple Heart for his wounds, and Irby said he hopes to have the medal awarded to him posthumously.

John Hollins retired in 1981 from the old GM&O Railroad, where he had worked for 30 years, his son said.

Survivors -- in addition to his son Bruce -- include six other sons, John A. Hollins and Raymond Hollins of Mobile, Ge rard Hollins of Zebulon, Ga., William Hollins of Dallas, James R. Hollins Sr. of Flint, Mich., and Willie Hollins of Pensacola; two daughters, Veronica Streeter of Pensacola and Lorice Hawkins of Columbus, Ohio; one sister, Carol Taite of Birmingham; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Johnson-Allen Mortuary of Mobile is in charge of arrangements.