Hancock (CVA 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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resently the USS Hancock is the oldest attack aircraft carrier still in service within the Navy. She was built at Quincy, Massachusetts with funds raised by the John Hancock Life Insurance Company. The Navy reciprocated by naming the ship, the USS Hancock. She was commissioned on April 15th, 1944. After a brief Caribbean shakedown cruise, Hancock was sent to join Admiral Halsey's 3rd fleet in operation off Ulithi. ancock distinguished herself in many Pacific campaigns including air strikes against Okinawa, Formosa and the big shoot at Suriago Straits. Later the Hancock was involved in penetrations into the South China Sea area until, in operations off Okinawa, she was hit by a Kamikaze. Hancock retired to Pearl Harbor for repairs and quickly returned to combat operations off Wake Island. At War's end the Hancock was credited with downing 700 aircraft and sinking seventeen Japanese warships and thirty one merchant vessels. In 1947 Hancock was decommissioned. ltimately the Hancock was again steaming in Far Eastern waters. However she had many alterations to her superstructure, which included an angled flight deck. Hancock was the first carrier equipped with steam catapults. She was also equipped with a new mirror landing system which was later replaced with a closed circuit TV known as PLAT lPiIot Landing Assistance Televisionl. The Hancock was recently installed with a complete air conditioning system for better inhabitability in tropical areas. uemoy was the first Far East crisis Hancock participated in since her returning to active service. This operation was followed by subsequent tours in the South China area, where she visited the Philippines, Japan, Okinawa and Hong Kong. When unrest inlLaos developed Hancock was on station as a ready carrier. The Gulf of Tonkin incident saw the Hancock as one of the first carriers launching strikes against the North Vietnamese. During her second deployment to Viet Nam, Hancock distinguished herself by being the first carrier to receive the Navy Unit Commendation for both World War ll and Viet Nam. p to date Hancock has participated in six West Pac deployments. Her primary mission has been to provide air support for our ground forces and to destroy or disrupt the flow of men and material to the Viet Cong in the South. The present Attack Carrier Air Wing twenty-one has made three successive deploy- ments with the Hancock. ln 1969 Hancock received word that she was awarded the Battle E for combat efficiency. nding of a cruise is always the most cherished event in the hearts of the men aboard Hancock. Homeported in Alameda, California, Hancock is the Navy's oldest attack aircraft carrier. She is 176 feet wide and hosts a 300 yard long flight deck. Her eight boilers can turn all four screws at a rate of thirty knots which is particular useful when heading home. She displaces 45,000 tons and supports her 3,300 men crew on 10,000 meals a day. Hancock has served the Navy well for twenty seven years.

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HISTCRY OF HANCOCK

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