Hollis entered the "Naval Reserve Force" in April, 1918 from Aberdeen, Grays Harbor Co., Washington. He was honorably discharged from the USS Buffalo, Mare Island, Vallejo California on October 21, 1921 after having served in WWI.
Per Plainville Times, October 24, 1918:
"Hollis J. Kroetch, USS Oregon, San Francisco, Calif care PM"
Name: Hollis Kroetch
Death Date: 13 Feb 1979
Enlistment Date 1: 16 Apr 1918
Branch 2: NAVY
Enlistment Date 2: 3 May 1918
Release Date 2: 9 Jun 1919
Hollis entered "Naval Reserve Force" in April, 1918 from Aberdeen, Grays Harbor Co., Washington. He was honorably discharged from the USS Buffalo, Mare Island, Vallejo California on October 21, 1921. The "Consent, Declaration, and Oath of Parent or Guardian" was signed by Nellie who was using the name Nellie McKenzie at the time. Interestingly enough, Hollis was also going by the surname of McKenzie while living with Nellie, but used his 'real' surname of Kroetch when he enlisted. Per the document, Hollis was under 18 years old so was enlisted in the "Naval Reserves Forces" to serve until December 31, 1921. At the time Nellie filled out the form she gave her address as "Grayport Hotel", Hoquiam, Washington. The document was signed April 15th, 1918. Hollis was 15 years old. A following document signed by Hollis he states that he is 17 years and 2 months old (he must have used his sister's date of birth) and he is 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, has a ruddy complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. Marks on body include "S. Occiptal; S.L. Patella, S.R. Buttox" (I imagine they mean 'scar')...his allotment of a $10,000 life insurance policy was made out to his mother, "Nell Helen McKenzie" and lists Hollis' address as the Lytle Bldg., Hoquiam, Washington.
From June 30th, 1918 through June 9th, 1919 Hollis was on a 303 sub chaser and the U.S.S. Oregon.
On March 28,1919 a letter was sent to the Hon. Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy by Albert Johnson, M.C. 3rd District of Washington. The letter states:
"Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am in receipt of an urgent appeal from Mrs. J.C. Mckenzie, 609 1/2 I St. Hoquiam Washington, who desires her son, Hollis J. Kroetch, USS Oregon, released from service.
I shall be under obligations if you will take such steps as may be proper toward effecting the release of this man, and advise me concerning the matter, at your convenience."
The letter was received in Washington DC on March 29, 1919. Hollis was subsequently not released, and since the letter from Nellie was not included his Hollis' service records, it's unclear as to why Nellie made this request. The response from Washington DC advised that Hollis make his own request with his commanding officer who had full authority to approve or disapprove the request. Through June 19, 1919 Hollis was on the USS Oregon.
On May 18, 1919, Hollis was absent (AWOL) from 8:15am until 10:00am (stated as 1 hour and 45 minutes). He was released from duty on 6/9/1919....
On August 18, 1920, the Office of the Commandant at the Naval Yard in Puget Sound wrote a letter to the Thirteenth Naval District concerning a "recall to active duty for the purpose of transferring to the regular Navy to serve unexpired portion of enrollment". It was requested by Hollis, and approved.
On Aug. 21, 1920, Hollis was transferred to the "regular Navy". On December 31, 1920 Hollis was transferred to the U.S.S. Charleston, and on March 31, 1921 he started serving on the U.S.S. Buffalo. He was discharged from the Buffalo on October 6, 1921. His honorary discharge gratuity was $143.60. His behavior was rated as 'excellent' while serving, and he was rated as a 'fireman first class'. Hollis was given an "Honorable Discharge" button, and furnished transportation at the rate of 5 cents per mile from Vallejo, California to Aberdeen Washington, his place of enrollment.
From June 30th, 1918 through June 9th, 1919 Hollis was on a 303 sub chaser and the U.S.S. Oregon.
Hollis was a 'seaman apprentice from 1918 until June 1919. Prior to his reassignment into the 'regular' Navy in August 1920, he appeared in the January 1920 US Census in Hoquiam:
1/10/1920 US Census:
Name: Hollis Mckenzie
Home in 1920: Hoquiam Ward 1, Grays Harbor, Washington
Age: 17 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1903
Birthplace: Idaho
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Birth Place: United States
Mother's name: Nell
Mother's Birth Place: Kansas
Marital Status: Single
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Image: 583
1921...
Application for Equalized Compensation:
Hollis Joseph Kroetch ID # 1032504 (not of age)
Present address: 1310 S. L Street, Tacoma, WA
Place of birth: Harrison, ID
Date of Birth: Jan 1, 1901 (incorrect)
Resident of Washington: 4 years
Present Occupation: none
Business Address: none
Name/Address of Employer: not employed
Name/Address of nearest relative: Juanita Kroetch 410 6th St., Hoquiam, Wash.....sister
Name/Address of Father: John Kroetch
Deceased: YES
Name and Address of mother at time of enlistment:
Helen I. Kingham 1310 S. L Street, Tacoma
Deceased: no
Have you ever borrowed money from the Veterans Welfare Commission? NO
Bona fide resident at time of commission: Lytle Bldg. Hoquiam, WA
Bona fide resident now: 1310 S. L Street, Tacoma, WA
When did you last vote? Not of age
Branch of Service: Naval Reserve
Date of Enrollment: April 15, 1918
Date of Reporting to Active Duty: May 2, 1918
Station or Ship: San Diego, CA USS Oregon
Rating: Apprentice Seaman
Last Rating: Seaman First Class
Signed: Hollis Joseph Kroetch
Pam Marks 
Daniel Pinna 
Kathy Pinna 
