HomeMy WebLinkAboutGene Hix, Brazos Valley HeroesMost of the sailors and soldiers who served
during World War II have special memories of the
places they served and the people they served
with. But for some, like Gene Hix of College Sta-
tion, certain music also stirs those memories.
For Hix, the song "California Here I Come" al-
ways lifts his spirits and brings pleasant memories
of the band they had brought aboard their aircraft
carrier in Tokyo Bay and the song they played as
they headed out of the harbor ... going home.
Hix was born in Valley Mills, Texas, in 1925, and
moved to Elm Mott, Texas, where he graduated
from La Vega High School in 1942.
"The summer after graduation I got a job help-
ing construct the air base being built in Waco.
Because of the urgent need for the facility, I soon
found myself operating an old Caterpillar, pull-
ing rollers, even though I didn't know very much
about operating an automobile.
"I enlisted in the Navy in February 1943. 1 hitch-
hiked to Dallas, spent the night in the YMCA and
the next day was part of a train full of recruits
headed to San Diego and boot camp. On that
four -day train ride, I learned a lot about poker
and shooting dice. For someone who didn't know
much about those games, I was surprisingly suc-
cessful. I also entertained my fellow recruits with
my chromatic harmonica but sold it for a price
that was so high, I couldn't refuse."
Loaded with cash and the beginning of a new
education - of sorts - Hix entered boot camp.
"The Navy had called back into service a lot of
its old and retired petty officers to train us. Their
language skills left a lot to be desired, but they
inspired us and gave us a lot to live up to."
Hix entered and graduated from quartermaster
school in late 1943.
"The submarine service tried to hustle us into
the submarine service with the promise of higher
pay. I was claustrophobic ... and no amount of
money could have convinced me to go into the
submarine service."
Hix was assigned to the escort carrier LISS Vella
Gulf. "It was my first sea duty and I worried that as
a second -class petty officer I would be laughed
at for getting my 'sea legs' so late in my career
as a sailor.
"I stood watch on the bridge, kept log books
about the planes we launched, those that re-
turned, the weather conditions, etc. It was our log
book that the officers used to complete the official
log book of the ship. I even got to help brief the
pilots on navigation matters in the ready room. We
had some planes that we had to patch holes, but
I'm glad to say we didn't lose a plane."
With the war's end, Hix and the men of the
USS Vella Gulf found themselves in Tokyo Bay in
September 1945, shortly after the Japanese sur-
render.
"Our captain offered transportation back to the
states for anyone who wanted to come home. We
were soon filled to overflowing. We had people
sleeping everywhere, including on the flight deck.
We also took aboard a complete Navy band which
had been on hand for the surrender ceremonies.
As we pulled away from the dock, the captain had
the band play 'California Here I Come.' It lifted
everyone's spirit."
Hix was discharged in 1945 and returned to
Texas and Waco, where he enrolled at Baylor,
graduating in 1949 with a degree in journalism
and English. He was in the journalism profession
for several years before going to work at Amoco.
"I passed from boyhood to manhood in the
Navy. 1 always tried to enjoy where I was and who
I was with. My goal was to do my duty, finish it
and get back home. I am grateful that I did"
Gene Hix's name can be found on the Brazos
Valley Veterans Memorial. For more information,
to make a contribution, or if you know a World
War II veteran whose story needs to be told, con-
tact the BWM at www.vetemnsmemorial.org or
Bill Youngkin at (979) 260 -7030.
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One in a series of tributes ►U Iuculbels itf " fhe Grc�ut'�t
Genermiun who served our country during World vv',it II