Hancock (CVA 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commanding Officer Executive Officer Capt. Philip J. Ryan June 16, 1973 - Captain Philip Ryan relieved Captain Albert Monger as Hancock's Commanding Officer on June 16, 1973, in ceremonies held aboard the ship at the Naval Base, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. Captain Ryan, a native of Goodhue, Minn., had been Commanding Officer of the USS Juneau CLPD-105 before reporting to the Hancock. After enlisting in the Navy in March of 1945, Captain Ryan went on to graduate from the Naval Academy in 1950 and became a Naval aviator after flight training in Pensacola, Fla., in 1952. As a pilot, his tours of duty have been with VS-25, VAH-5, and RVAH-3, and he has operated from the USS Point Cruz, USS Sicily, USS Porrestal and USS Enterprise. Other shipboard assignments have been aboard USS Monterey, USS Mullinix, USS Spiegel Grove, USS Shangri La, and USS Norfolk, as well as USS Juneau. Ashore, 1-1anna's present skipper has beena flight instructor at Corry Field, Flag Lieutenant for the Chief of Naval Air Training, a Naval War College student, Flag Secretary for Commander South Atlantic Force, and Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. CDR R. A. Spargo Oct. 10, 1972 - Commander Richard A. Spargo, Hancock's Executive Officer since Oct. 10, 1972, has been associated with Naval aviation for most of his career. He entered the Navy in October of 1952, and in January of 1953 reported to Pensacola, Fla., to begin flight training. He received his commission and Naval Aviator designator in Corpus Christi, Tex., in May 1954. His first duty assignment was with VP-46 flying P-5M's at Sanglcy Point, Philippine Islands. Commander Spargo has twice served as an instructor at Corpus Christi, once as a flight instructor in the S-2 aircraft after attending the Naval Aviation Safety School, Monterey, Calif., and again as a aerodynamics instructor after Jet Transition Training in Olathe, Kan. He holds a B.S. degree in Electronics Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, and a Master of Science in International Affairs from George Washington University. Other duty assignments have been aboard the USS Essex, with VS-34, VS-30, E-2 training with RVAW- 120, and Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of VAW-124. Before reporting aboard Hancock,Commander Spargo was attached to the Avionics Division of Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters.

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nr niunznra...-.. -. p.-.-.--arf--.N..ssGElv THE IGILA , THE CONCER ED ln the nearly three decades of her existence, the Hancock has been commanded by no less than 24 men, including the present Commanding Officer, Capt. Philip J. Ryan,,During that long history, the carrier hascompiled- a record of success and achievements that her sister carriers might find hard' to match. A ship that meets with such good fortune often times seems to possess a certain magic, a certain reputation that all who sail on her will find the same success in the association. But on the contrary, it has been the dedication of those men that won Hancock her achievements. Most important, it has been the personality, drive and determination of the men who have commanded her that has been resposible for her successes, and shaped her reputation. Hancock's Skippers A Distinguished Breed Captain F.C. Dickey ...... Apr 1944 Nov 1944 Captain R. V. Hickey ........ Nov 1944 Sept 1945 Captain D. V. Gallery ..... Sept 1945 Dec 1945 Captain H.B. Butterfield . . Dec 1945 Sept 1946 Hancock on the inactive list . . .Sept 1946 Feb 1954 Captain W. S. Butts ......... Feb 1954 Jan 1955 Captain E. R. Sanders ........ Jan 1955 Jan 1956 Captain D. Black ....... Jan 1956 Jan 1957 Captain C. J. Odend'hal, Jr. . . . Jan 1957 Feb 1958 Captain R. A. MacPherson .... Feb 1958 Jan 1959 Commander E. A. Parker . . Jan 1959 Feb 1959 Captain H.L. Miller ...... Feb 1959 Jan 1960 Captain F. E. Bakutis ........ Jan 1960 Dec 1960 Captain J. C. Kelly ....... Dec 1960 Dec 1961 Captain P. K. Blesh ...... Dec 1961 Nov 1962 Captain T. D. Harris ........ Nov 1962 Dec 1963 Captain A. Brassfield ...... Dec 1963 Dec 1964 Captain F B. Stone ....... Dec 1964 Dec 1965 Captain C. Donaldson, Jr. . . Dec 1965 Dec 1966 Captain H. P. Streeper ....... Dec 1966 Nov 1967 Captain H. E. Greer ...... Nov 1967 Feb 1969 Captain N. P. Foss ....... Feb 1969 Jun 1970 Captain T. L.Johnson .... Jun 1970 Oct 1971 Captain A.-I. Monger ...... Oct 1971 Jun 1973 Captain P. Ryan . . . .. Jun 1973 Commanding Officer Capt. . J. Monger Oct. 5, 1972 - June 16, 1973 Captain Albert J. Monger ended 20 months as Hancock's Commanding Officer on June 16, 1973, to go on to duties as Chief of Staff for Comander, Naval Air Forces Pacific. Captain Monger brought a distinguished record to the Hancock, and only enhanced it during his tour aboard. The native of Brawley, Calif., entered the sevice in 1943 and became a Naval aviator in 1947. During the Korean War, he flew combat missions from the USS Princeton. After the war, he was to fly from several other carriers. ln between duties saw Captain Monger as a Navy test pilot. From 1963 to 1965 he was XO and then CO of VA- 93, and then in 1966 he became Commanding Officer of Attack Carrier Air Wing 21, flying in Vietnam combat operations from both the Bon Homme Richard and the Hancock. Holder of a Masters Degree from George Washington University, Captain Monger has also attended several armed forces schools. Prior to reporting aboard Hancock, he was the Commanding Officer of USS Mauna Kea fAE- 221. During his months aboard the Hanna he ably led her to a third Navy Unit Commendation Award for operations off Vietnam during North Vietnam's 1972 invasion of the South. ' a f ',, w,:mwm::m'.f's::-'fl--'fJ , g 'f. 'w f f ., , ' 5 i ., ,, , . , , ,ff..f.,f. f .a w

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' L., Hs A ,.,, ,,.1.,,-:a , .. .,., ,,,, r :chi Pl , lil i 1 I., I l i l I 4 M +1 ! Y ' V Yi l l Those who command must fill many roles in carrying out their duties. fAbove middlel on the bridge, the incoming skipper, Captain Ryan fLeftJ, sees his new 'command for the first time, while the man still in charge, Captain Monger, familiarizes him with Hanna's intricacies. , fAbove far rightl Captain Ryan addresses remarks, as Commander Spargo looks on, at an advancement ceremony on the foc'sle. fFar rightl Constant vigilance from the bridge. The Captain must be present there for all evolutions. fRight middlel A grand gestureg Captain M0nger's farewell get together, accolades from close associates given with high respect. fRightJ Commander Spargo closely scrutinizes the military appearance of l'lanna's crew. Frequent inspections were held during the cruise to insure the highest standards were maintained. fAboveJ Occasionally, there was time to play. Leisure moments found Captain Ryan on the tennis courts. Here he is congratutated W after victory in the ship wide tournament. l l I l I l ': 1. 1 nkicr' vgza.. 'J 1, ffm 393 ,ff x.-4 Wa . eggs. it: A05 l . 5 in i ., il , ,i 'i , ,Q , i . i 1. .l 'C .1 li 4, 1: is Vraa ,,,. . ', 1 1 :1 - , r-1---ff-v----M-+--af ..,.., ,.,, 1 -1 . e e e a - -A -M eamawwi umm, .,-W,s,, ,e,,e W, . . r V ' ' n , H , - N:,,'.':,,:','w, ' '32, WWC, 'WLC :'V.'1w'? ' ' ' 'M' ' MVLSWQffaiffhffzlfdilifi' , fvlrgv we 7 L '4f1:q,,f fvwuf::Q5a'Mif I .t W 4 1 i i ' 1