CV-19 was named for "two famous old vessels in the Navy bearing th[e] name [Hancock]." (Very special thanks to Robert J. Cressman, Naval History & Heritage Command.)

Continental frigates Hancock and Boston capturing British frigate Fox, 7 June 1777.

Previous ships named Hancock:

1. A Continental Navy schooner.
2. A Continental Navy frigate.
3. A transport.

"Quincy, Massachusetts (24 Jan 1944) — Named for John Hancock, Revolutionary War hero, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hancock, third naval vessel christened in his honor [sic], was launched today at the Fore River Shipyard of the Bethlehem Steel Company. Left to Right, Mrs. DeWitt C. Ramsey, wife of Rear Admiral Ramsey, Chief of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington, sponsor of the huge fighting ship; Rear Admiral Ramsey, and Mrs. Paul F. Clark, wife of the President of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of the International News Photos."

Official US Navy Photograph of the launching of USS Hancock (CV-19). The photo was taken on 24 January 1944 as Hannah was being launched from Bethlehem Steel Company at Quincy, MA. The photo is from the Bureau of Aeronautics, #BuAer-230239.

As completed, USS Hancock (CV-19) was camouflaged in Measure 32, Design 3A.

Aerial view of the soon-to-be USS Hancock (CV-19), 14 April 1944, at Bethlehem Steel Company, Quincy, Massachusetts.

National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) photo, # 1996.488.054.022.

USS Hancock (CV-19) underway on 15 April 1944, the day of her commissioning. The paint scheme is Measure 32, Design 3A; note the small hull number on the Dull Black bow area. Hancock was the only "long bow" Essex to wear Design 3A, and since all the Pattern Design Sheets had been prepared for "short bow" Essexes, there were a number of noticeable differences in the bow area with respect to Intrepid (CV-11), Hornet (CV-12), and Franklin (CV-13)—compare, for example, to this photo of Intrepid. Two 40-mm quad AA mounts were fitted on the extended forecastle of the "long hull" ships. Hancock had two more 40-mm mounts on the fantail but none on the starboard side, amidships. There were four deck-edge masts.

Official US Navy photograph from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 91546.

Immediately after commissioning, USS Hancock (CV-19) is easing her way down Fore River in April 1944.

NS0219an: National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.054.024.

NS0219ana: National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.054.025.

NS0219anb: National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.054.023.

USS Hancock (CV-19) in a photo dated 4 June 1944.

USS Bainbridge (DD-246) refueling from USS Hancock (CV-19), during the carrier's shakedown cruise in the western Atlantic and Caribbean areas, 14 June 1944. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-235276).

USS Hancock (CV-19) at Trinidad, 7 July 1944, during her shakedown cruise. Water reflection on the flared bow makes the dull black panels appear to be much lighter.

USS Hancock (CV-19) loading bombs at the Boston Navy Yard, July (?) 1944.

USS Hancock (CV-19) underway, painted in Measure 32, Design 3A, August (?) 1944.

USS Hancock (CV-19) underway. Detail of island. Photo is dated 13 August 1944.

The photo is simply labeled "USS Hancock (CV-19)."

USS Hancock (CV-19) recovers a Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter, circa 1944. The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 3A.

Sailors take in the sight of the US Fleet at Ulithi Atoll near the forward twin 5"/38 mount of USS Hancock (CV-19), as she lies anchored at Berth 10 on October 5th or 6th, 1944. The carrier at the center of the photo is USS Essex (CV-9).

Crewmen on USS Hancock (CV-19) move rockets to planes, while preparing for strikes on Formosa, 12 October 1944.

Information from David Stubblebine:

"USS Hancock (CV-19) refueling from an oiler. The latter is believed to be USS Cache (AO-67) in the Philippine Sea (15 15.33N, 130 29.87E), 25 October 1944."

"This photo was possibly taken from USS Brown (DD-546)."

US Navy photo.

USS Hancock (CV-19) drawing alongside USS Cache (AO-67) (pronounded "cash-AY"), 25 October 1944.

Japanese cruiser Kumano is bombed by planes of Task Force 38 on 26 October 1944, following the Battle off Samar. She had lost her bow the previous day, and was further crippled by this attack, but was not sunk until 25 November. Photographed from a USS Hancock (CV-19) plane. Note SB2C Helldiver at right center.

Carrier Raids on the Philippines, November 1944 — Flight Deck Officer on USS Hancock (CV-19) waves the "take-off" flag at a SB2C "Helldiver" bomber, during strikes on Manila Bay, 25 November 1944.

Japanese dive bombers on USS Hancock (CV-19) as seen by USS Cabot (CVL-28), 25 November 1944.

USS Hancock (CV-19) underway on 15 December 1944, during operations in the Philippines area.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (photo # NH 89281).

Note the flight deck was cut away just aft of the port catapult, to provide an unobstructed view for a third Mark 37 director that would have been mounted on the former hangar-deck catapult sponson. Only Ticonderoga and Hancock actually had the cut, and it was later eliminated as BuAer considered the cut "a serious hazard to aircraft taking off."

USS Hancock (CV-19) recovering aircraft during operations in the South China Sea, January 1945. Three F6F Hellcat fighters are flying overhead as a TBM Avenger torpedo plane approaches at left. Photographed from USS New Jersey (BB-62) by Lieutenant Commander Charles Fenno Jacobs, USNR.

January 21, 1945.

1328: VT 124, Bu #23539 [a General Motors TBM-3 Avenger], pilot, LT(JG) C.R. Dean, 298954, and crewmen F.J. Blake, ARM3c, and D.E. Zima, AOM2c, made a normal landing and taxied forward. As the plane reached a point abreast the island a violent explosion occurred, believed to have been caused by the detonation of two (2) 500 lb. bombs adrift in the plane's bomb bay. The immediate results of the explosion were: casualties: killed - 62; critically injured - 46; seriously injured - 25; slightly injured - 20. A 10x16 foot hole in the flight deck, gallery deck area in the vicinity demolished, inboard side signal bridge wrecked. Three airplanes demolished. Numerous shrapnel holes throughout the island structure. Fires broke out on the flight, gallery, and hangar decks. Hauled clear of the formation and commenced maneuvering at various courses and speeds in an attempt to control the winds over the deck, and with high speed turns, to wash flooding water out of the hangar deck.

1342: Fire in hangar deck under control.

1405: Fire in gallery deck under control.

1406: Hancock planes in the vicinity commenced landing on other carriers of the Task Group.

1500: Rejoined station in formation.

1510: Emergency repairs to the flight deck completed.

(Text from War History of USS Hancock, courtesy of the USS Hancock Association).

NS021940a–NS021940e: National Archives photos (College Park, MD)

• NS021940a: NARA 80-G-301150.
• NS021940b: NARA 80-G-301151.
• NS021940c: NARA 80-G-301152.
• NS021940d: NARA 80-G-301158.
• NS021940e: NARA 80-G-301159. Taken two days after the accident. Note the bent supports in view. This is the same area shown in NS021940d.

"USS Hancock Carries On—A bomb from an Avenger plane explodes suddenly over the USS Hancock, spreading death and destruction. A first aid and a fire crew quickly restore order. Note the twisted propeller, blown forward on the flight deck by the force of the blast. Repair costs are heavy in the Pacific when ships are far from Navy bases. Your heavier purchases of War Bonds will help keep these ships in the fight." Official U.S. Navy photo.

Nogales International, Nogales, Arizona, Friday, 3 August 1945.

A Curtiss SB2C-3 Helldiver in tricolor scheme and tail markings of Bombing Squadron (VB) 80 newly assigned to USS Hancock (CV-19), February 1945.

A U.S. Navy Curtiss SB2C-3 Helldiver from Bombing Squadron (VB) 80, Carrier Air Group (CVG) 80, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19), flies over two battleships of the invasion fleet, during strikes on Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945. Note Hancock's geometric air group identification symbol on the SB2C.

Official U.S. Navy photograph now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-304721.

Tracy thoroughly researched this photo and writes:

"Hancock's crew pushes a damaged F6F-5 Hellcat overboard on March 1, [1945,] the last day of strikes against the Amami Oshima in the Ryukyu islands area of Japan. This aircraft was damaged in a barrier accident during a strike recovery and there was not enough time to salvage or move the aircraft below for repair. Hancock launched two strikes against the area that day and one photo reconnaissance mission in between, with a regular refresh of Combat Air Patrol throughout the day. She reported three aircraft shot down by her fighters and a lack of significant targets that limited strike results to five small vessels sunk and four damaged. In addition to this Hellcat, one was shot down and the pilot later recovered by USS Tilefish (SS-307). Note the temporary patches to her flight deck in the lower right-hand corner of the photograph; this is from damage received on January 21, covered in photos NS021940–021940e. Hancock remained in action with these temporary repairs until being ordered to Pearl Harbor for repair in early April."

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-304022.

A slightly faded and possibly shifted color photograph of USS Hancock (CV-19), front, and USS Wasp (CV-18), rear, in March 1945, at Ulithi, with Hancock wearing camouflage 32/3A. Photo taken from USS West Virginia (BB-48). The vertical colors should be dull black, ocean gray and light gray.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-K-3814.

"Probably the ultimate "Murderers' Row" photo with 10 Essex-class carriers plus the Enterprise in the anchorage. It must also have been taken on the 13th March 1945 shortly after the arrival of Task Group 12.2. The Randolph in berth #27 had been hit two days previously whilst at anchor by a long range kamikaze strike. The repair ship USS Jason (AR-8) is visible alongside (unknown source)."

"Ulithi Anchorage looking north: Berth #5: USS South Dakota (BB-57), #6 USS Massachusetts (BB-59), #8 USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), #101 USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), #27 USS Randolph (CV-15) and USS Jason (AR-8), #28 USS Hornet (CV-12), #29 USS Wasp (CV-18), #30 USS Bennington (CV-20), #26 USS Essex (CV-9), #25 USS Intrepid (CV-11), #24 USS Enterprise (CV-6), #23 USS Yorktown (CV-10), #22 USS Hancock (CV-19), #21 USS Franklin (CV-13). (All positions correlate with war logs of each ship and the mooring plan.)"

"Suicider hits Halsey Powell alongside the Hancock on 20 March 1945. (San Jacinto [(CVL-30)] photo)"

On 20 March 1945 USS Halsey Powell (DD-686) was alongside USS Hancock (CV-19) when Japanese aircraft attacked. As the destroyer was getting clear the aircraft overshot the carrier and crashed Halsey Powell. Her steering gear jammed but alert action with the engines averted a collision. Fires were put out and although 9 were killed and over 30 wounded in the attack the ship reached Ulithi 25 March. (From DANFS, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships).

NARA II College Park, Bureau of Ships General Correspondence Files, 1940–45.

Ordnance men adjust fins on 5" rocket body on the forward deck of USS Hancock (CV-19) and prepare to load them on fighters for a sweep over Kyushu, Japan, 21 March 1945. Photographed by PHoM3/c Louis J. Kolb.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-316273.

Aboard USS Hancock (CV-19), ammunition handlers fasten 5" rockets on the wing of an F4U Corsair prior to take off for strike on Kyushu, Japan, 21 March 1945. Photographed by PHoM3/c Louis J. Kolb.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-316282.

Serving planes aboard USS Hancock (CV-19) and preparing them for sweep over Kyushu, Japan, 21 March 1945. Seaman entering elevator surface of a TBF-3 Avenger badly damaged in raid over Japan but able to return to safety. Photographed by PHoM3/c Louis J. Kolb.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-316287.

Aboard USS Hancock (CV-19), ammunition handlers fasten 5" rockets on the wing of an F4U Corsair prior to take off for strike on Kyushu, Japan, 21 March 1945. Photographed by PHoM3/c Louis J. Kolb.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-316289.

Planes on the stern of USS Hancock (CV-19) afire after being hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa, 7 April 1945. Image part of an album of photographs collected by Captain Carlos W. Wieber during his command of the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) during 1944–1945. Image mounted on a piece of paper on which appears the original typewritten caption.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1983.046.010.135.

USS Hancock (CV-19) burning furiously after being hit by a kamikaze, 7 April 1945. Fires were soon brought under control, however. Seen from USS Essex (CV-9).

Damage on the hangar deck.

From the collection of LT(JG) Winston C. Dudley, USNR.

"U.S.S. Hancock services 'One-Two Punch.' Hit and set aflame by a bomb and the crash of the Jap plane which loosed the bomb, the Navy carrier U.S.S. Hancock was stunned and shaken—but resumed limited operations within 4 hours. Shrouded in flags, the bodies of men killed in the double-blow lie on the hangar deck amidships as shipmates pay their last respects before sea burial."

File Number 328570. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy BUMED Library and Archives 09-7938-10.

Same as above, but cropped differently.

"On April 7, 1945, the ship experienced a Kamikaze attack [...] [t]hat [...] left 29 dead and 34 missing—total 63—and 82 wounded."

"The Burial at Sea service conducted by Chaplain Parker and Chaplain Doyle took place on 9 April. These hallowed dead were committed to the sea with full honors."

Casualties are buried at sea on 9 April 1945. They were killed when Hancock was hit by a "Kamikaze" while operating off Okinawa on 7 April.

Newspaper clips, World War II.

USS Hancock (CV-19). During a period in dock which ended in June 1945, Hancock was repainted in Measure 12. The photograph shows the ship shortly after the end of the war with a medium-sized white identification number on the superstructure. Five starboard side 40 mm quad AA mounts were added in this period, plus another two on the port side at hangar deck level. Hancock kept her SK radar antenna until first taken out of service. Two of her deck-edge masts have been removed.

Photo from the National Naval Aviation Museum, # 1996.488.054.033.

Text from Aircraft Carriers of the U.S. Navy, by Stefan Terzibaschitsch.

USS Hancock (CV-19) officers and enlisted men enjoying a game of baseball on the flight deck. Note the soft-ball diamond. Photograph released 23 March 1946.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-366232.

NY8-6365—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—28 March 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—Forward airplane crane machinery being removed through access in shell.

NY8-6367—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—28 March 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—250 KW diesel generator from forward auxiliary mach. room being removed through bulkheads 79 & 67 and out forward gasoline tank plug.

NY8-6533—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—21 May 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—Removing section of flight deck bow ramp.

NY8-6736—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—12 June 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—View looking aft, port side, showing shell plate ripout between 3rd and main decks.

NY8-6737—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—12 June 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—View looking forward, port side. Blister construction showing installation of side frame extensions to fourth deck.

NY8-6845—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—11 July 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—Ripout of after centerline elevator showing ripout at flight deck, and installation of beams for main deck.

NY8-6846—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—11 July 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—Flight deck area adjacent to island showing installation of additional stiffening and S.T.S. blanket.

NY8-6879—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—17 July 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—Flight deck extension showing after ramp in place.

NY8-6909—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—7 August 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—Ripout of after island structure.

NY8-6914—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—7 August 1952—USS Hancock (CV-19)—Island structure forward showing ripout above pilot house.

NY8-7111—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—7 October 1952—USS Hancock (CV[A]-19)—3"/50 cal. gun sponsons in place on the fantail.

NY8-7193—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—3 November 1952—USS Hancock (CVA-19)—Prefabricated Secondary Conning Station in place under the flight deck forward.

NY8-7201—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—3 November 1952—USS Hancock (CVA-19)—Forward 1000 KW Diesel Generator being landed on the ship.

NY8-7203—Puget Sound Naval Shipyard—3 November 1952—USS Hancock (CVA-19)—New transverse bent under the flight deck, installed at frame 42.

"'BEFORE AND AFTER'—Model of USS Hancock (CVA-19) (right), with angled flight deck, is shown alongside Essex-class carrier, USS Boxer (CVA-21)."

"Futuristic" view of what Hancock might look like after addition of an angled deck, from All Hands magazine, March 1953 issue, page 38.

USS Hancock (CVA-19), 45 ° off bow portside, 4 March 1954. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo NY8-10774.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives, Record Group 181.

USS Hancock (CVA-19), broadside view, 28 April 1954. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo NY8-11091.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives, Record Group 181.

F7U-3 Cutlass. This may be BuNo 129637, during Project Cutlass, June–July 1954.

An XSSM-8 Regulus guided missile taken aboard USS Hancock (CVA-19) for tactical training mission at Naval Air Station, North Island, California, 1 August 1954.

U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-648762.

USS Porterfield (DD-682) refueling from the recently converted USS Hancock (CVA-19), 1954. From a report and series of photos documenting shortcomings in the refueling system: note hoses dragging in the water.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives, Record Group 181.

These photos were obviously taken after the SCB-27C modernization (elevator #3 moved to the deck edge) and before the SCB-125 upgrade (there is no angled deck). If you have more info, please let us know.

NS021984b: Photo by Richard A. Kirsch, PH3, USNR (Ret.).

Another view similar to the ones above. Circa 1954.

Note the two Marine F4U Corsairs parked aft, with markings of VMF-232 (tail code "WT") and VMA-251 ("AL") squadrons.

US Navy photo of the launching of a Regulus I missile from USS Hancock (CVA-19) off the coast of California, circa 1955.

Courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum (# CVA 19 25330-1955 TH).

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway, possibly in 1955: she spent that year conducting flight operations off California to test the Sparrow I and Regulus I (note missile on the port elevator) systems and Cutlass jets. Bow-mounted 3"/50 guns are still in place.

Tests with a Regulus I missile, circa 1955–1956.

Ramp strike of a Vought F7U-3 Cutlass (BuNo 129595, modex D412) on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) during carrier qualifications off the California coast, 14 July 1955. The pilot, LCDR Jay Alkire, USNR, of Fighter Squadron (VF) 124 "Stingrays," Carrier Air Group (CVG) 12, was killed. Two Boatswain's Mates and one Photographer's Mate were also killed.

Videos: (1)   (2)

Courtesy of U.S.S. Hancock CV/CVA-19 Memorial

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway, circa 1955–56, with one F9F Cougar, and seven F7U-3 Cutlasses from VF-124 "Stingrays" (Carrier Air Group 12), on deck.

Underway, circa 1957.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway, circa 1957.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway, apparently fresh out of her SCB-125 angled deck conversion, in a photo dated 1957.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway, circa 1957. CAPT Charles Joseph Odend'hal, Jr., Commanding.

AJ-2 Savages from VAH-6 "Fleurs" are amidships, AD Skyraiders aft.

Destroyers USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747) and USS Maddox (DD-731) are to starboard and port of Hancock, respectively.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway, circa 1957. CAPT Charles Joseph Odend'hal, Jr., Commanding.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway with Air Task Group 2 aboard, 1957. Visible on deck are AJ-2 Savages, F7U-3M Cutlasses, FJ-3M Furies, and some different versions of AD Skyraiders.

Another wiew of USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway with Air Task Group (ATG) 2 aboard, circa 1957. Visible on deck is a mix of Navy and Marine aircraft types.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway at sea on 15 July 1957. She was then serving with the Seventh Fleet in the western Pacific. There are seven FJ Fury, ten F2H Banshee (two different models); two F7U Cutlass, fifteen AD Skyraider and three AJ Savage aircraft on her flight deck.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) in San Francisco Bay, California, in September 1957. Her crew is spelling out "Our Town" on her flight deck.

A Grumman F11F-1 Tiger assigned to VA-156 "Iron Tigers," modex NL111, on the starboard catapult of USS Hancock (CVA-19), November 1957, as plane NL110 is on the forward elevator. VA-156 was one of the first fleet units to fly F11F's, and, skippered by CDR Jack C. Fruin, was conducting CarQuals aboard Hancock along with VF-154 "Grand Slammers" (equipped with F8U-1 Crusaders) and VA-113 "Stingers" (A4D-1 Skyhawks).

San Francisco Naval Shipyard—Hunters Point, Historical Shipyard Photographic Collection 1904-74, NARA Pacific Region (San Francisco).

USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Midway (CVA-41), and USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) berthed at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, 10 January 1958. Note the Convair R3Y-2 Tradewind seaplane on the water.

National Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.054.048.

U.S. Navy aircraft of Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15 flying past Mt. Fuji, Japan, in 1958. Visible aircraft are (l-r): a Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 4 Det.D "Fourrunners," a Vought F8U-1 Crusader of Fighter Squadron (VF) 154 "Black Knights," a Douglas F4D-1 Skyray of VF-23 "Flashers," a Douglas A4D-1 Skyhawk of Attack Squadron (VA) 153 "Blue Tail Flies," and a Grumman F9F-8P Cougar from Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (VFP) 61 Det.D "Eyes of the Fleet." All squadrons were assigned to CVG-15 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) for a deployment to the Western Pacific, from 15 February to 2 October 1958. U.S. Navy photo from the USS Hancock (CVA-19) 1958 cruise book.

USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Midway (CVA-41), and USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), Alameda, California, circa 1958.

A U.S. Navy Vought F8U-1 Crusader (BuNo 143796, modex NL407), flown by LT(JG) W. John Miottel of Fighter Squadron (VF) 154 "Grand Slammers," after a barrier landing on the flight deck of USS Hancock (CVA-19), 20 June 1958. Note how deep the barrier webbing has cut into the tail of the aircraft.

VF-154 was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15, aboard USS Hancock (CVA-19), for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 15 February to 2 October 1958.

(Photo NS021987c courtesy of Air & Space Magazine, courtesy of W. John Miottel.)

USS Saint Paul (CA-73) escorting the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) while two Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 4 Det. D "Fourrunners" are flying overhead. VAH-4 Det.D was assigned to Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15 aboard Hancock for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 15 February to 2 October 1958.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway, with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 15, circa 1958.

Photo by Russ Meek, date and location unknown.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway, circa 1959–60.

"This is the first official photograph transmited via the moon from Hawaii to the continental United States. It shows officers and men on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hancock spelling out 'Moon Relay' in Pacific waters—Special U.S. Navy Photo."

The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Friday, 29 January 1960.

Aerial view of three aircraft carriers, USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), and USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), at Naval Air Station Alameda, California.

Note a former escort carrier, converted into an aircraft transport, on the upper left—possibly USNS Breton (AKV-42).

Although the photo is dated 1966, it is believed to have been taken in the first half of 1960.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway in the Pacific with Carrier Air Group (CVG) 11, circa 1960–1961.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection, photo no. 1996.488.054.056.

Stern view of USS Hancock (CVA-19) in a dry dock at Yokosuka, Japan. Photo is dated 2 January 1961. Planes closest to camera are a couple of AD-7 Skyraiders from VA-115 "Arabs" (BuNos 142012 and 142075), and an F11F-1 Tiger from VF-111 "Sundowners" (side number 109). Air Group was CVG-11.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection, photo no. 1996.488.054.060.

This picture was taken by Mr. Leo Barnecut in 1961 as USS Hancock (CVA-19) was headed for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.

An F3H-2 Demon, assigned to VF-213 "Black Lions," preparing to launch, August 23, 1962. F3H-2's were redesignated F-3B under the new, September 1962 joint designation system.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) deployed to WestPac with Carrier Air Group 21 (CVG-21, tail code "NP"), February 2–October 7, 1962.

An AD-6 Skyraider, assigned to VA-215 "Barn Owls," launches from USS Hancock (CVA-19), August 23, 1962. AD-6's were redesignated A-1H under the new, September 1962 joint designation system.

A WF-2 Tracer, assigned to VAW-11 "Early Eleven," prepares to launch, August 23, 1962. WF-2's were redesignated E-1B under the new, September 1962 joint designation system.

A WF-2 Tracer, assigned to VAW-11 "Early Eleven," launches from the port catapult, August 23, 1962.

An F8U-1 Crusader, assigned to VF-211 "Fighting Checkmates," awaits its turn on the starboard catapult. F8U-1's were redesignated F-8A under the new, September 1962 joint designation system.

F-3B Demon, BuNo 143422 (modex NP304), nominally assigned to LT Willard H. Van Dyke, Jr., Fighter Squadron (VF) 213 "Black Lions," Carrier Air Group (CVG) 21, USS Hancock (CVA-19), 1963.

David was a plane captain in VF-213.

Aerial view of USS Hancock (CVA-19) passing under the Golden Gate Bridge on April 17, 1963.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) and "friend." Probably in the Gulf of Tonkin, date unknown.

Task Force 77 operating in the South China Sea, March 1965 [Note: Although the official caption gives a date of "March 1965," the ships' deck logs show that Operation Candid Camera actually took place on 21–22 February]. It had recently launched strikes against North Vietnam. Carriers present are (clockwise from bottom): Ranger (CVA-61), Yorktown (CVS-10), Coral Sea (CVA-43) and Hancock (CVA-19). The guided missile cruiser Canberra (CAG-2) is in the center of the formation. The destroyer screen includes: England (DLG-22), Gurke (DD-783), Rogers (DD-876), Walker (DD-517), O'Bannon (DD-450), Somers (DD-947), Jenkins (DD-447), John A. Bole (DD-755), Higbee (DD-806), Buck (DD-761), Joseph Strauss (DDG-16) and Ernest G. Small (DD-838). This photograph was specially posed, and does not represent a normal operating formation.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1109915).

James Shriver, PHCM, USN (Ret), notes: "The photo [...] was taken in an exercise we called 'Operation Candid Camera.' On day one it was tried by a Vigilante photo plane. They missed. So the next day it was tried again and the photos were taken with a hand held camera from a HS-8 helicopter. The photographer was PH1 Elvin C. Conarty (now deceased). I was there... I processed the film and printed the photos."

Operation Candid Camera, as above.

"My Uncle, LTJG Wayne Veeneman and his personal aircraft 109 BN 149173 on the Hancock, VF-211. Well weathered! I’m thinking this was in 66."

LT(JG) Wayne Allen Veeneman was attached to Fighter Squadron (VF) 211 "(Fighting) Checkmates," part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 19 aboard USS Hancock (CVA-19), during their 21 October 1964–29 May 1965 and 10 November 1965–1 August 1966 deployments to Vietnam. These photos show him with his F-8E Crusader, BuNo 149173, modex NP109.

(This particular aircraft, by then attached to Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron (VMF(AW)) 235 "Death Angels," Marine Air Group (MAG) 11, was lost to small arms fire on 3 May 1968, northeast of Đông Hà, Quảng Trị province, South Vietnam. Pilot, Capt. Stephen William "Steve" Clark, was KIA.)

"Off the coast of Vietnam the USS Sacramento [(AOE-1)] transfers fuel and ammunition to the aircraft carrier USS Hancock [(CVA-19)]. The CH-46 Seaknight helicopters, used for transport, stay in the air during the whole operation. They already accomplished transfer rates of 75 tons every hour." (From International Defense Review, #11, 1966.)

This was Hancock's second Vietnam cruise, 10 November 1965–1 August 1966. Air Wing was CVW-21.

"Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club, Task Force 77, Power Squadron's First Regatta, 21 January 1966"

Annotated copy:

0. USS Oklahoma City (CLG-5)
1. USS Hancock (CVA-19)
2. USS Ingraham (DD-694)
3. USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864)
4. USS Carpenter (DD-825)
5. USS Ranger (CVA-61)
6. USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747)
7. USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752), not shown
8. USS Fletcher (DD-445)
9. USS Hornet (CVS-12)
10. USS Bache (DD-470)
11. USS Harry E. Hubbard (DD-748)
12. USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)
13. USS Brush (DD-745)
14. USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22)
15. USS Edson (DD-946)
16. USS Topeka (CLG-8)
17. USS John S. McCain (DL-3)
18. USS England (DLG-22)

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo, # USN 1114861. (Annotation by NavSource.)

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 21, in a photo dated 15 June 1966. On this date, Hancock was operating in the South China Sea. The carrier was deployed to WestPac/Vietnam from 6 December 1965 to 1 August 1966.

Official US Navy photo fron the Naval History & Heritage Command collections, # USN 1118793.

LT(JG) Philip V. Vampatella's VF-211 "Fighting Checkmates" F-8E Crusader (BuNo 150300, modex NP104) was badly damaged by flak, 21 June 1966, before he turned back toward North Vietnamese fighters and shot down a MiG-17. Note the large chunk missing from the starboard stabilator and the pock marks from shell shrapnel.

"Phil Vampatella's MiG killer (BuNo 150300) repaired and freshly painted after the engagement." Probably taken in Atsugi in July 1966.

Photo by LT Wayne A. Veeneman.

(BuNo 150300 was then transferred to VF-162 "Hunters"—modex AH211—aboard USS Oriskany (CVA-34). Little more than two months after its MiG kill, this Crusader was shot down by enemy flak. Its pilot, LCDR Demetrio A. "Butch" Verich, was rescued.)

Ships under repair at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in August 1966. The carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) is to the left while USS Preston (DD-795) and Edson (DD-946) are in the yard's dry dock 4 and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) is to the right. Photo is from the files of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.

USS Hancock (CVA-19), as seen from USS Henderson (DD-785), either en route to WestPac/Vietnam or in the Gulf of Tonkin, 1967.

USS Henderson (DD-785) steaming in the wake of USS Keppler (DD-765)—see below—, alongside USS Hancock (CVA-19) in the South China Sea operations area, 20 February 1967, rendering honors for LT Robert C. Marvin, whose A-1H Skyraider (BuNo 139805, VA-115 "Arabs") crashed into the Gulf of Tonkin on 14 February, during a RESCAP mission.

Another view of the memorial service for LT Marvin, from Hancock's 1967 Cruise Book. USS Keppler (DD-765), screen commander, renders honors.

(Thanks to Ed Zajkowski, Lanny LaValley and Steve Mooney for their comments.)

USS Hancock (CVA-19), as seen from USS Sacramento (AOE-1), alongside, 1967. Note F-8E Crusaders from Fighter Squadron (VF) 51 "Screaming Eagles" ready to launch from the carrier.

A series of four photos of USS Hancock (CVA-19), taken from USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) in Yankee Station, sometime between February and June 1967.

A Grumman C-1A Trader Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) aircraft, BuNo 146038, being taken up to the flight deck.

A Douglas A-3B Skywarrior, BuNo 142664, assigned to VAH-4 Det. B "Fourrunners." See also photo NS021978.

USS Hancock (CVA-19), with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, tail code "NF," on Yankee Station, February–June 1967, as seen from USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692).

USS Passumpsic (AO-107) conducting an underway replenishment with USS Hancock (CVA-19), WestPac, 1967.

An air-to-air right underside view of a Heavy Attack Squadron 4 (VAH-4), "Fourrunners," A-3B Skywarrior aircraft, BuNo 142664, modex ZB6, part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 aboard USS Hancock (CVA-19). Photo is dated 16 March 1985, but must have been actually taken in late 1966 or 1967, since CVW-5 deployed to Vietnam aboard Hancock between 5 January and 22 July 1967.

This particular aircraft was converted to KA-3B standard by NARF Alameda after this cruise. See also photo NS021953b.

National Archives, photo # 330-CFD-DN-SC-85-06073.

A crewman wheels a cart loaded with three Sidewinder air-to-air guided missiles across the flight deck, during operations off Vietnam in April 1967. Hancock was then on her third Vietnam War deployment. Photographed by PHC R.D. Moeser.

NS021995: F-8E Crusader (BuNo 150302, modex NF103), VF-51 "Screaming Eagles." (This aircraft was later upgraded to F-8J standard.)

NS021995a: F-8E Crusader (BuNo 150900, NF209), VF-53 "Iron Angels." (This plane was later upgraded to F-8J. In 1972, flown by LT Jerry Tucker and attached to VF-211 "Checkmates," 150900 scored the last MiG kill by a Crusader in the Vietnam War, but this is not officially listed as a "kill" because the Vietnamese pilot ejected before a single shot had been fired.)

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, USS Hancock (CVA-19), third Vietnam deployment, 5 January–22 July 1967.

Two F-8E Crusaders attached to VF-53 "Iron Angels" (BuNo 149158, modex NF206, and BuNo 150900, NF209), flying toward targets in North Vietnam, 18 March 1967. Note that the area around the gunports was painted black. USN photo.

BuNo 150900 again, NAS Atsugi, 1967.

This aircraft was later upgraded to F-8J standard. Attached to VF-194 "Red Lightnings," it was destroyed in a ground fire at NAS Miramar, California, 20 May 1975.

USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), with A-4E Skyhawks from VA-153 "Blue Tail Flies" and VA-155 "Silver Foxes," moored to pier #3 South, U.S. Naval Air Station, Alameda, California, 22–26 July 1967. USS Hancock (CVA-19) is moored to pier #3 North, and USS Ranger to pier #2 North. Other ships present include: USS Bellatrix (AF-62) and USS Aludra (AF-55), moored port side and starboard side, respectively, to pier #2 South; and probably USNS Breton (T-AKV 42), astern of Coral Sea.

Aerial view of the San Francisco Naval Shipyard at Hunters Point, sometime between April and July 1968. USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and USS Hancock (CVA-19) are easily identifiable. Also visible in this photo are Midway (CVA-41), undergoing her SCB-101.66 modernization in the drydock just aft of Coral Sea, and USS Oriskany (CVA-34), undergoing an 8-month overhaul in the background.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway. These photos are believed to have been taken during Hanna's fourth WestPac/Vietnam Cruise, July 18, 1968–March 3, 1969 — the third with Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21).

An F-8H Crusader from VF-24 "Red Checkertails" and the carrier's COD aircraft, a C-1A Trader, involuntarily "transferred" from USS Hancock (CVA-19) to USS Camden (AOE-2) as a result of a collision in the Tonkin Gulf, 26 November 1968.

USS Chemung (AO-30) refueling USS Hancock (CVA-19), 2 July 1969, off the coast of California.

Courtesy US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.05.

Front to back: USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), USS Hancock (CVA-19), three auxiliaries (which appear to be USS Markab (AR-23) with USS Pictor (AF-54) outboard, and USS Procyon (AF-61) forward of them), and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) at NAS Alameda, CA, possibly in the first half of July 1969.

USS Hancock (CVA-19), with Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21), passes under the Golden Gate Bridge, Saturday, 2 August 1969, bound for WestPac and her fifth Vietnam cruise.

F-8J Crusaders, Fighter Squadron (VF) 211 "Checkmates," Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 21, aboard USS Hancock (CVA-19), Sasebo, Japan, late 1969.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 21, Sasebo, Japan, late 1969.

NS021993b: F-8J and F-8H Crusaders, VF-211 "Checkmates" (NP1xx) and VF-24 "Red Checkertails" (NP2xx); KA-3B Skywarrior, VAW-10 "Vikings" Det. 19 (NP61x); A-4F Skyhawks, VA-164 "Ghost Riders" and VA-55 "War Horses" (NP5xx).

NS021993c: F-8J Crusaders, VF-211 "Checkmates" (NP1xx); RF-8G Crusader, VFP-63 "Eyes of the Fleet" Det. 19 (NP60x); A-4F Skyhawk, VA-164 "Ghost Riders" (NP5xx).

NS021993d: Similar to photo NS021993. F-8J Crusaders, VF-211 "Checkmates" (NP1xx); tail of RF-8G Crusader, VFP-63 "Eyes of the Fleet" Det. 19.

NS021993e: A-4F Skyhawk, VA-212 "Rampant Raiders" (NP3xx); SH-3A Sea King, HC-1 "Pacific Fleet Angels" Det. 4 (NP004); tail of an F-8J Crusader, VF‑211 "Checkmates" (NP1xx).

Monday, 2 February 1970. Attack Squadron (VA) 55 "Warhorses" CO, CDR Frederick W. Lawler, attacks POL (Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants) barrels. A-4F Skyhawk.

"This was taken on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin on a Sunday morning. I am not sure offhand if it was late 1970 or early 1971 now though. I know it was Sunday cause it was a 'stand-down' day & we had an UNREP[—in the photo, with USS Passumpsic (AO-107)—]that morning. A Russian trawler cut across our course and 'hell' broke loose on Hanna! They set Battlestations and Condition Zebra. Cut ALL the lines holding the ships together and launched the F-8 sitting on the cat! Best I recall, we were making maybe 12 knots at the time. I had been unaware they could launch while going that slow! I do not have any of the details from the back of the picture handy right now [... but] I would suggest you look at the right side of the picture closely. That has to be a one in a million shot. I was simply lucky to have gotten this picture."

USS Hancock (CVA-19) salutes Sydney, Australia, two days before arriving in the city (thanks to Jim Smith). Hancock was in port, Sydney, 16–20 May 1971.

A U.S. Navy Douglas EKA-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 142661, modex NP616) from Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 135 Det.5 "Black Ravens" refuels a Vought F-8J Crusader (BuNo 150660, NP111) from Fighter Squadron (VF) 211 "Checkmates" off Vietnam.

Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 21 aboard USS Hancock (CVA-19) for a deployment to Vietnam, 7 January–3 October 1972.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.253.3921.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 21 embarked, as seen from USS Waddell (DDG-24). Possibly taken in the Yankee Station Ops Area, 1–5 March 1972.

View looking aft during VERTREP by one of HC-3 (Det 106) helicopters assigned to USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3) of the attack aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) off the coast of Vietnam in August–September 1972.

"These three photos show helo in stages of the VERTREP. As you can make out in the photos the VERTREP started before shotlines were sent over to the carrier to commence alongside stream gear unrepping. (You can see the CVA crew manning 3-4 alongside stations, preparing to receive the shotlines.) UNREPs usually were conducted at 12 kts with both ships displaying the 'Romeo' flag. The DD trailing would usually get UNREPed after the carrier."

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 21 can be seen on deck, most notably A-4F Skyahawks from VA-55 "Warhorses" (green tails) and VA-164 "Ghost Raiders" (red tails).

USS Hancock (CVA-19) underway off San Diego, CA, circa 1972–1974.

USS Mispillion (AO-105) refueling USS Hancock (CVA-19), sometime in January–July 1972. Note F-8J Crusaders on deck, from Fighter Squadrons (VF) 211 "Fighting Checkmates" and 24 "Red Checkertails," and an approaching A-4F Skyhawk about to recover aboard.

Overhead showing hurricane bow and angled flight deck, late in her career, in the 1970s.

September 1972. This A-4F Skyhawk (NP-302, BuNo 154990) of VA-212 "Rampant Raiders," part of Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21), and flown by LT Weller, had to make an Emergency Barricade Landing after low oil pressure problems.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) with men of VA-55 and crew members in formation of "44–74" in honor of the ship's thirty years of service. Photo taken 3 January 1974 by PH1 Cook.

Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo, # NH 84727.

Aerial view of Naval Air Station Alameda, summer of 1974. Left to right: USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Oriskany (CVA-34), and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65).

Same as NS024346, above, from a different angle.

USS Hancock (CVA-19) off San Diego, California, 11 February 1975, shortly before beginning her final deployment to the western Pacific. There are twelve A‑4F Skyhawk attack planes and one SH-3G Sea King helicopter on her flight deck.

In April and May 1975, while on her final WestPac tour, Hancock was one of the ships that conducted the evacuation of South Vietnam when that long-suffering country was overrun by North Vietnamese forces.

Art Ritchie recalls: "[These are] some photos of the Hancock during the evacuation of Saigon in April of 1975. All of the fixed wing aircraft had been replaced with Marine Corps helicopters for that operation. [The photos show] some of the people we evacuated from Saigon. In all we took on board about 2,500. The two showing the helicopter going into the water was one of several we had to push overboard. The South Vietnamese military would fly their helicopters, often loaded with friends and family, out to our ship and land on our flight deck. We didn't have room to stow the aircraft plus they were in terrible shape, missing lots of instruments and parts. So we pushed them overboard."