About this Unit
USS Hancock (CV-19) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1944. She served with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in major operations including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and supporting air strikes against Japanese positions across the Pacific. After the war, Hancock was modernized and played a vital role during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, providing air support and conducting combat missions. The carrier was eventually decommissioned in 1976, leaving behind a legacy of valor and service across three decades of American naval history.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Heritage: USS Hancock (CV-19) was named after John Hancock, a prominent patriot of the American Revolution and the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
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Essex-Class Carrier: Hancock was one of the famed Essex-class aircraft carriers, the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s carrier force during World War II.
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Commissioned in 1944: She was commissioned on April 15, 1944, and promptly joined the Pacific Theater, participating in key operations against Japan.
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Kamikaze Strikes: Hancock survived several kamikaze attacks, including a particularly severe one on April 7, 1945, that killed 62 crew members but didn’t sink her.
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Innovative Catapult: She was the first carrier to launch aircraft using a steam catapult, paving the way for future carrier technology.
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Presidential Visit: In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson visited the Hancock off the coast of Vietnam, highlighting her role in the Vietnam War.
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Vietnam War Service: Hancock was a key carrier during the Vietnam War, launching thousands of sorties and providing crucial air support for ground operations.
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Recovery Missions: Hancock participated in recovery operations for Apollo space missions, including Apollo 11 and Apollo 12, retrieving astronauts and their capsules after splashdown.
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Rebuilds and Modernization: The ship underwent extensive modernization in the 1950s, including the addition of an angled flight deck and new radar systems, allowing her to operate modern jet aircraft.
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Decommissioning and Fate: USS Hancock was decommissioned in 1976 after over 30 years of service and was sold for scrap in 1977, closing the chapter on a storied naval career.
