Men who gave their lives in the service of their country while assigned to or flying from USS HANCOCK subsequent to her recommissioning 15 Feb 1954 are listed below. The principal sources of the names were the cruise books published over the years. HANCOCK casualties from WWII, and some of the below casualties from the Vietnam era, are listed on the magnificent brass plaque aboard YORKTOWN at Patriots Point, Charleston, SC. That plaque is depicted elsewhere in the Hancock History Book.
Casualties by Cruise
1955-56 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959-60 | 1960-61 | 1962 | 1963-64 | 1964-65 | 1965-66 | 1967 | 1968-69 | 1969-70 | 1970-71 | 1972 | 1973-74 | 1975
1955-56 Cruise: Aug 55 - Mar 56
- Jay Alkire, LCDR USN, VF-124 - summer 1955 - The tragic crash was captured on film
Yeoman's Note: Recently (5-1-07), I received an Email from Gordon Parker stating to me the following regarding the Crash of the F7U Cutlass by Jay Alkire:
Hi There
For what it's worth, I was in a compartment ( V1 divisions coffee mess ) at the time of this crash. I possess a 1955/56 cruise book. This book contains the names and photo's of the Hancock's photographers.
I remember the crash of this F7U as if it happened yesterday. I'd never seen any photos nor video of the crash until one day a couple of weeks ago I saw the video on youtube.com.
I did some searching on line and found your e-mail info. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this effort. If I can be any help I'm at your service.
Cheers, Gordon Parker
Yeoman's Addendum: I was glad finally that someone came forward to give some information on the Crash of LCDR Jay Alkire in his F7U Cutlass. I had desired to learn more of this tragedy to post here, so that we may remember this Naval Hero and gratefully, this has been accomplished, thanks in part, to Gordon Parker, Debi Faulker-Ouellette, daughter of Charles Faulkner, the PH whose shipmate in OP Division who gave him the photos in our Faulkner/Jay Alkire Memorial; and Richard A. Kirsch, our Middle years Coordinator in Admin.Gordon Parker followed up with another photo vindicating him as being aboard during this tragic time with a photo of himself standing afront of the very plane that LCDR Jay Alkire flew and crashed into the round-down that fateful day. You can view it in the Faulkner/Jay Alkire Memorial.
The Yeoman retains Email addresses for those mentioned here in case you wish to write any of them.
- Leslie Taylor Smith, LTJG USNR, VA-125 - 29 Sep 1955
- Kenneth Herman Ehman, LTJG USN, VA-125 - 14 Nov 1955
- George Barrett Milliard, LTJG USN, VF-124 - 4 Nov 1955
- Edward Joseph Cronin, LT USN, VA-125 - 15 Dec 1955
- Seth Edwin Brown, LTJG USNR, VF-121 - 16 Feb 1956
Top
1957 Cruise: Apr 57 - Sep 57
- Clarence R. Wilson, FA USN, B-Div. - 2 May 1957
- Albert John White, LTJG USN, VA-55, - 20 May 1957
- James Swint Morriss, 1stLt USMC, VMF(AW)214 - 22 May 1957
Top
1958 Cruise: Feb 58 - Oct 58
- Charles F. Ramsey, LTJG - 5 March, 1958
- James R. Gaddy, AN - 17 May 1958
- Paul B. Woyak, Jr., LTJG - 10 July 1958
- James P. Craig, AMC - 21 July 1958
Top
1959-60 Cruise: Aug 59 - Jan 60
- Deforest Q Joralmon CDR
- Harry B. Harlow, LCDR
1960-61 Cruise: Aug 60 - Mar 61
- Robert E. Constans, LT, VF-114 - 21 Oct 1960
- Kenneth E. Hawes, MMFA - 30 Oct 1960
- William N. Currie, LTJG, VF-111 - 7 Nov 1960
- James H. Kruetzfeldt, LTJG, VF-113 - 17 Jan 1961
- Robert W. Raines, LTJG, VA-115 - 30 Jan 1961
Top
1962 Cruise: Feb 62 - Aug 62
- Otis Thomas Grimes, Jr. - 13 Feb 1962
- Thomas John Campbell - 14 Mar 1962 - Jack Campbell, (not related) witnessed this tragedy while aboard ship during West Pac '62. Read about it here.
- Bruce Anthony Wisnewski - 24 Mar 1962
- Victoras Deringas - 12 May 1962
- Michael John Neville - 24 Jun 1962
Top
1963-64 Cruise: Jun 63 - Jan 64
!!No deaths were listed in this cruisebook!!
Yeoman's Note: This is a tragedy because your Yeoman was on this Cruise, and he knows for a fact that at least two (2) Pilots lost their lives and a total of 7 Crew members gave their lives, WestPac '63! I am trying to find out more information on these casualties. If you have any information on these casualties, please sound off!Note from Jake: Since I have posted the above in RED, I have received some pretty awesome returns where I have received some names. I will post the names here and the returns from interested parties I'll leave on a Separate Page for your perusal. To all who will continue to bless us with information on 'Project Remembrance', I would like to say a hearty thanks in behalf of all of us who served in HANCOCK and most importantly for those who gave their lives. It is said when we remember the dead, they are never really dead 'just away' - keep remembering them Shipmates!
1963-64 Cruise: Jun 63 - Jan 64
The following names are placed here but it must be understood that the names are supplied must remain in the area of conjecture since they were supplied by individuals and not from any Cruise Book...
More recently (6 June 2008) it was discovered that the name of the fated pilot who lost his life on Hancock's Fantail was not Lt. Felton, as previously thought, but thanks to a shipmate sending Jake the Yeoman a news clipping he had that recorded that fatal crash, we now can give the 'Mystery Pilot' of that crash at 2100, on Friday, June 14, 1963, his rightful name and place of honor...
- Lt. Donald John Meyer from Santee, California - Fantail Crash Friday, June 14, 1963 - Buried at Sea - Read Jim Campbells input on Lt Meyer's crash here.
For CD-ROM Click
Here
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Note from Jake: This picture is of Lt. Donald John Meyer's Burial at-Sea - the Yeoman snapped the photo as they were about to tip the portage and ease his body into the sea. Lt Meyer was buried at sea with full military honors, while the entire crew stood at attention and his wife waited patiently at home for the latest information. After the honor guard had fired the last salute, and as the bugler had sounded "Taps," the National Ensign covering Lt. Felton's remains fluttered slightly, and then lay motionless at attention. Lt. Meyer's remains, encased in a weighted cocoon of canvas, quickly slid from under the Flag as the portage was momentarily tilted toward the sea by six of his fellow Officers. As the gentle waves received his remains, a peaceful hush settled over the flight deck and his shipmates assembled there. It was as if everyone was paying their last respects and perhaps mourning inside, not only for their beloved shipmate, but also for all those lost in other conflicts and at-sea casualties of the past aboard this Ship.
- Seaman Johnny Mack - Survived Fantail Crash of Lt. Donald John Meyer's F8A, June 13, 1963 losing both legs.
- VF-213 in a F3H lost a pilot when his plane's throttle stuck open and went over the side (we need his name)
- Hal Crandall of VF-211 crashed at Cubi Point when his plane went inverted upon take off.
- Unknown MIA lost his life when he drove a Flight Deck Jeep over the side (we need his name)
- Unknown MIA lost his life when he backed his Flight Deck Jeep into a Prop (we need this casualty varified.
There were 7 casualties in WestPac '63 - We need varification of these casualties and accidents
1964-65 Cruise: Oct 64 - May 65
- Frank S. Crismon, LTJG, VA 2l6
- Thomas F. Mineau, LT, VA 216
- George Franklin Courbrough, ATN2
- Leonard L. Noah, V6 Div.
Top
1965-66 Cruise: Nov 65 - Aug 66
- LT John Richard Mc Donough VAW-13 Det 1 / 20 June 1966 (See MIA's Page). See a Comments Thread on this casualty here
- LTJG Raymond Theodore Lorang
- LT Richard Lee Laws
- SN William Warren Sype
- LT Dennis Philip Cook
- LCDR Fred Albert Neth
- LTJG Thomas Gavin Walster
- AO2 Robert Henry Holloway
- LCDR William Patrick Egan VA 215
- LTJG Thomas Edward Brown VA 211
- CDR Charles Robert Hessom VA-215
- AN Michael Kelly McGuire
Top
1967 Cruise: Jan 67 - Jul 67
- AN Ronald Lee Hagopian, USNR
- EM3 Wilbur "D" Ausbrooks, Jr., USN
- LT Robert Clarence Marvin, USN
- LTJG Gene William Goeden, USNR
- LTJG James Hamilton Hise, USNR
Top
1968-69 Cruise: Jul 68 - Mar 69
- LCDR J. E. Bartocci, VF-24
- LCDR R. A. Meyers, VA-164
- LCDR W. R. Rankin, VA-163
- LT J. L. Merrick, VFP-63
- LTJG P. E. Swigart, VF-24
- T. L. Hubin, VA-163
Top
1969-70 Cruise: Aug 69 - Apr 70
- LT V. P. Buckley, VFP-63
- LT J. A. Griner, VA-212
Top
1970-71 Cruise: Oct 70 - Jun 71
- D. N. Eggert. LT VF-24, Sep 1, 1970
- G. L. Carloni, LT VF-211, Oct. 28, 1970
- AO3 G. L. Downing, VAQ-129, Nov. 1, 1970
- LTJG G. L. Carter, VA-164, Jan. 26, 1971
- LT Dave Thompson
- ADJ1 Jesse Hoffman
- ABE1 George McCoy
- BM1 Wallace Montague
- ABE3 Dwain Harper
- ABE3 Dennis Puetz
- ADJAN Richard Dennis
- ADJAN Ismael Collazo
- CDR Hank Strong
- CDR Frank Green
Top
1973-74 Cruise: May 73 - Jan 74
- LTJG William D. Elliott, CVW-21
- AMH1 Charles E. Tucker, VA-212
- SA Stanley V. English, S-1 Division
- FA Cornelio B. Milot, M Division
- SN David Mimnaugh, OI Division
Top
1975 Cruise: Apr 75 - Oct 75
- CAPT William C. Nystul, USMC, HMM-164, 29 April 1975
- 1st LT Michael J. Shea, USMC, HMM-164, 29 April 1975
- LTJG Bruce Carrier
- AR Robert Garrett
Credits for this List:
Past Cruise Books
Hancock Memory Book
Memorail, USS Yorktown CV-10 Museum
- Follow these links to Memorials