Thomas Jolly

Thomas Jolly, a Jamestown High School graduate, joined the U.S. Navy in 2015 as a way to serve his country and travel the world. He’s currently part of a mission to protect merchant vessels in the Red Sea amid a series of maritime attacks in the Mideast linked to the Israel-Hamas war.

“It’s surprising, but also interesting, the way other cultures live and go about their day,” Jolly, a 2012 JHS graduate, told The Post-Journal by email. “It makes me realize that America is the greatest country in the world. Taking this country for granted is easy when you haven’t seen how others live around the world. Love your country and be thankful for your country because others have it worse in other parts of the world.”

Jolly is an electrician’s mate on the USS Carney. In military terms, electrician’s mates are responsible for the operation of a ship’s electrical power generation systems, lighting systems, electrical equipment and electrical appliances. At present, he is the leading petty officer of his division.

His destroyer recently made news after it shot down three unmanned drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen during attacks on three commercial ships in the Red Sea.

According to the Associated Press, the Carney detected a ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at the Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier Unity Explorer. The missile hit near the ship, the U.S. said.

Shortly afterward, the Carney shot down a drone headed its way, although it’s not clear if the destroyer was the target, Central Command told the AP.

As noted in numerous media reports, the attacks took place in international waters over seven hours. The Houthis claimed responsibility for two of the attacks.

Jolly, who has served in the Navy for eight years, said his parents, Stephanie Holmberg and James Jolly, still reside in Jamestown. The same goes for his sister, Savanna Jolly.

“Most of my family still lives in Jamestown,” he added. “I return once a year, maybe twice a year, depending on where I’m stationed.”

Asked what he misses about the area, he responded, “I miss my family (wife Alison and kids) the most, but I also miss the smell of fall in Jamestown; I miss the sound of crickets and the quietness at night.”