JAKE'S 'YANKEE STATION' -
USS HANCOCK CV/CVA-19 MEMORIAL
SITE DEDICATION PAGE

Please wait until Graphics are loaded and Taps is sounded

This Website is Dedicated to the Memory of LTJG Dewey L. Alexander Killed in the devastating fire aboard  the USS Oriskany (CVA-34) on Yankee Station,  October 26, 1966 YNCM Dewey L. Alexander, USNR He was the finest man I have had the privilege to serve under. He was Ship's Secretary, in the Captain's Office when I met him in late October, 1962, and then, a Yeoman Master Chief Petty Officer. I served alongside him for two years, and he taught me how to wear my 'Sea Legs', and he taught me well. Sometime in January, after returning to CONUS, from WestPac, Chief Alexander received orders to Limited Duty Officer (LDO) school, and was detached from Hancock. I never saw him again, but fate had it otherwise, I was to HEAR about him later, after being separated from Active Duty myself. Sometime in 1967, when visiting my uncle who served in Oriskany, I was paging through his Cruise Book '66, and just casually was looking over the IN MEMORIAM pages, when I saw the name of my Chief at the top of the casualty list! He was then LTJG Dewey L. Alexander, having been commissioned O2 after graduating form LDO School. You have no idea how this news hit me at the time, I was totally in shock. I still am saddened to think of him losing his life that way, but he was a true blue Navy man to the core, and he gave his life trying to save his ship and his men. Such sacrifice, is, in my estimation, in the highest traditions of the Navy. During your stay here at Jake's 'Yankee Station' - USS Hancock Memorial, please be mindful of this good Sailor, and his sacrifice, and know that this is the reason why I put this Website up, and will try my best to continue keeping it up till I, myself, go to meet my Chief in the heavens. LTJG Alexander, I want you to know that this Memorial is dedicated to you, and to your memory! May you always have Fair Winds and Following Seas!

Chief Alexander gave his life because he loved the Navy and his fellow shipmates. On October 26, 1966, while in Oriskany (CVA-34), he was killed while fighting to save his ship and those he served with from the terrible fires that broke out on that day. He was a true Sailor, and one I will never forget. His face and his passion for duty made an everlasting impression on my mind, that I will carry with me to the end of my days..

On February 24, 2008, I received an Email sent to this Website from his daughter Karen Lee Alexander - I had been hoping for many years to have a member of his family come forward and let me know their thoughts about this Website and the Dedication I made in Master Chief Dewey Alexander's honor. You can only imagine slightly my reaction to hearing from Karen. Her words are below:

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Name: Karen Lee Alexander, Daughter of Dewey Lee Alexander
24 February 2008

"Dear Jake, My daughter Renee found your website a few years ago; I myself do not use a computer without assistance, hence my delay in correspondence. Speaking for my family, I wish to Thank-you deeply for the tribute that you have created for my Father. We were deeply moved by it, and proud to see your testimony. Although we have not been to the Wall yet; we have been to the traveling Wall twice. We also each have a copy of the book "FIRE On The Hangar Deck, Ordeal of the Oriskany". In the course of life, I have met many Men who have served on the Oriskany; but never met anyone who knew my Dad.

Once again, I Thank you with all my heart and Bless you."

Karen Lee Alexander

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This Memorial is Placed here for all who go
down to the sea in ships, and don't return.

During my tour of duty aboard Hancock, I was made sadly aware of  fellow shipmates
who lost  their  lives during the  performance of duty.  Such men as those brave  Pilots and Flight deck hands who lost their lives due to misadventure. Nowhere in our cruise book was it made mention of these lives lost to us; therefore, I wish to here remember these men who gave their lives, and who go forever unknown to most of us, but are not forgotten by their loved ones, who grieve for them, nor by our God who gave them life!

LTJG Dewey L. Alexander's name is etched in the Black Granite on the WALL in Washington DC..

Diane Mimnaugh Dye lost her brother David Mimnaugh while serving aboard the Hancock in 1974. She wrote a poem that remembers such casualties of peacetime or in freak accidents while in the course of doing their duty:

Search for Vietnam Casualties on the Wall Database -You can search the WALL yourself

Hancock Vietnam War Casualties

The Navy Hymn

A Warrior's Affirmation

Try to visit these Memorials while here and Think of those who gave their All. You will not be sorry!
The above casualty Pages do not reflect the many who lost their lives while working the Ship during these periods, though the Yeoman is trying his best to gather this information and will post it when more is ascertained - it is so very imporant that we remember them and the Sacrifice they made - Lest we forget

Please Visit these Tributes..

To my Friends and Classmates,
Greg Kelly, USMC, Glendale, California,
friend since grade school
Lee Richard Galloway,
friend since grade school

Visit my Memorial to my good friend Brian Robert Koehn, Sgt., US ARMY

Gary Nelson, USMC, Glendale, California

Andrew G. "Andy" Kirchmayer, Capt., US ARMY
Friend of Colin Sandell, a Hoover High School Classmate

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