Jake's Personal Photo Journal

	NAVY ID CARD
	My Naval Reserve I.D. Card Photo Just like a Criminal's Mug shot, the Navy ID photo may be pretty generic, but at least it is a picture of me wearing the Navy Dress Blues. I haven't one picture of me in my Dress blues or even undress Blues.. so this will have to do, even if the jumper I was wearing there was a fake one they put over your head to take the picture - this was taken at the US Naval Reserve Training Center in Pasadena, California when I enlisted in June of 1961. Check out that hair!!! (where did it go to? See me today. Use 'Back' button to return here.
	My Naval Reserve I.D. Card The Red Naval Reserve ID Card they issed me when I once again returned to Inactive Status, I, of course carried the normal gray one during the 2 years of active duty like everyone else. The dates show when I was released from active duty (March '64), but they used the same photo that was on my original ID card taken in June of 1961.
	NAS ALAMEDA 1962
	Steven D. Passon, is a nice guy I met on the day I signed on the 'dotted line' for the Naval Reserves back in June of 1961. He and I became good friends during our training there at the local USNRTC, in Pasadena, California.. We decided to go Active Duty together the summer of 1962, on what we both called the 'Buddy Program'. Before he and myself came aboard Hancock, we were stationed during a brief period in the Transit Barracks at NAS, Alameda, where we made friends with other sailors waiting their ships. Here from left to right is Dodson, me, Ben Miller and Steve Passon. If any of you guys sees this picture, please Email the Yeoman above, please!!!
	This picture of me and Steve at NAS, Alameda was taken while we awaited the Hancock's return from WestPac '62. These were 'cool' times and all we did there was try to keep busy. I was assigned to work in Admin even then, as a storekeeper. Don't remember what Steve was doing then. Maybe Latrine duty? He always kidded me how I got the good jobs 'because you could type' - he went to 1st Division Side Cleaners on Hannah for a few months.. then was sent to Navigation. He was greatly relieved! as you can bet!
	My good friends Ken Monroe and Steve Passon taken at NAS Alameda, 1962. We had recently joined other sailors in transit at the Air Station, awaiting ships deployed or further orders.. Steve and mine were to the Hancock. Although Ken and I were good friends there, he was not assigned to the Hancock to my knowledge and when Steve and I left for the ship, I never saw Ken again. If you know Ken Monroe and his whereabouts, please send me Email. Steve now lives in Colorado Springs, CO. We're still in touch.
SEA DUTY  BEGINS	FINALLY A SHIP - THE USS HANCOCK AUG '62
	Gazing out to Sea - A Picture Poem
	During the months preceding our WestPac Deployment of June '63 and after our 6 month yard period (December '62 to May '63), we cruised the California Coastal Waters engaged in Carrier Qualifications, etc. This was taken as we were leaving port. A foggy view of the Golden Gate.
	Another picture from the same day (above picture), looking out over the Flight Deck, you could tell it was a typical foggy day in the San Francisco Bay.. not good for taking pictures but I am glad I did take it.. helps with the memories.
	This picture is of me and another shipmate from the X-Division, taken, I believe on the Starboard Catwalk. The tail section of an A4D Skyhawk is above on the Flight Deck. Later, a visitor, Dave Thomas, AO2 of VU-1, who was TAD to Hancock during our WestPac ORI, informed me that I am wrong about the plane showing behind us. In reality it is an A3D Skywarrior. Thanks, Dave! Dave has contributed his own Gallery now present on this Website called the "Extended Vietnam Era Photo Gallery." Another visitor Bob McKay, confirmed what Dave Thomas has said about my statement about the plane being an A4.. "Jake, the photo of you and a friend on the catwalk under the tail of an A4D Skyhawk. "Your other visitor is correct it is an A3D Douglas Skywarrior , in fact it is "Hollygreen #2". The "ZB" on the tail is the designator for VAH 4 and their call sign is "Hollygreen" And of course the small #2 on the dove tail designates as Good Ole # 2. Keep up the great work, Bob McKay, USN Retired, (on board Hanna approx Jan/Feb 1962 til October 1962....VAH 4 Det Lima)" See Bob's Oral History. (click Back to return here)
	Taken the same time as the last 3 photos above, on the Flight Deck, two shipmates of mine from X-Division, left to right, Don Lamoreaux and Doug Fong. If either of you see this picture of yourself, please Email me!
	Angel One - our Plane Guard coming aboard the Flight Deck during this coastal deployment back in 1962.
HAWAII 1962 AND	CARRIER QUALIFICATIONS
	Yes!! At last! I had dreamed for many a year for this opportunity to visit the Hawaiian Islands.I use to haul out my records by Billy Vauhn, "Blue Hawaii" and "Red Sails in the Sunset", etc., and close my eyes and dream of this Paradise in the South Pacific. And finally I was there! Look at those skies in these pictures. Are these Hawaiian skies or what? Although very commercialized even by 1962 standards, to me, it was like a dream come true.. Hawaii to me was a Hoot! In the background, you can see the USS Arizona Memorial.
	Taken at an Overlook, facing Waikiki and Diamond Head, this is your Yeoman! This picture was taken during our 1st visit to Hawaii around Christmas, 1962
	My buddy Steve Passon and I hit the beach in Oahu our first time over, during shake-down cruise after Yard period around Christmas time, 1962 and January '63. He took this of me with a view of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in background.
	Gazing out to sea in Hawaii, I was infatuated with this beautiful place. I am wearing my 'Pali Beads' - which I am sure most sailors are familiar with, who have visited this beautiful place in the Pacific.
	Steve Passon, my shipmate, and I took an 'Around-the-Island' tour on rented Vespas' - and stopped at a beach-side Restaurant in Laie and he snapped this picture of me, in a peaceful setting.. behind me is a 'grass shack' - my first sight of one. Heard of those and grass skirts.. saw both!
	If you wondered how come I am so poetic, here's why. I use to lie in bed at home, before I went active duty and dream of this place. I actually requested shore duty in Hawaii as my 1st choice of duty station, but I got my second.. not a bad choice! The USS Hancock.. the Captain's Office, and more Poetry.
	This was taken from the Flight Deck, overlooking Pearl Harbor and the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. Our 1st Cruise there, around Christmas time, 1962.We actually visited Hawaii 3 times during my tour of duty.
	Your Yeoman admiring the beauty that is Hawaii, and watching a school of Flying Fish, and some dolphins playing in the water off to our side.. I loved this place! What a life!
	As you know, the Flight Deck was a popular place on Sundays and Holiday Routine.. specially in these warm climes around Hawaii. This is a picture of a very skinny Jake before he started to chow down on Hancock Steak Look at those sunbathers!I can still feel that warm breeze blowing over us on that deck, 36 years ago as of now (1999). I bet you can too!
	A nice picture of Orlen F. Klint, PN3, my buddy from the X-Division. He too was enjoying the warm breeze on the Flight Deck that Sunday in the past. What would we do without photographs to keep our memories alive. Recently, I discovered, that Orlen was no longer sailing the assure seas of this life. Orlen lived inn East Grand Forks, Mn, and lived right on the levee that kept the waters of the Red River from overflowing the city. Orlen became 'missing' about the same time that that area had such terrible flooding.. I don't know the details of his demise, but I can't help think that the stress (and more?) of that ordeal for everyone there, caused his death. Whatever, Orlen, I want you to know that your old buddy Jake has never forgotten you.. one day we may sail those assure seas again, my friend... (see entry on our Taps Page)
	After chow, I had to get up on the Flight Deck for a breath of fresh air.. there was plenty of it to be found up there... nearly blowing my chambray shirt right off my skinny frame! No I didn't eat too much Hancock Steak.. that's air bulging there, not my bread basket!
	You'd find me spending a lot of my free time up on the Signal Bridge observation deck watching the action below on the flight deck. Here I took this picture of an A1 Spad about to launch from the deck using no Catapult. The bottom photo in this group is not a Spad, but the COD - our Mail/Personnel carrier launching. These pictures were taken in the waters around the Hawaii Islands... the Paradise of the South Pacific!
	No, I didn't just take pictures of myself during my Cruise. I did manage to take some good pictures of some pretty Wihinies but they are for my private collection.. besides, you have enough of your own to gawk at. Mostly I was being the 'tourist' on this Cruise.. Hawaii had me captivated! As I said before, it was a 'Hoot!'
	How many old salts had their picture taken in this pristine place? This, I believe was a grotto within the International Market Place.. a perfect place to have one's picture taken and sent home to Mom and Dad!
	Being only 19 years old, and not allowed in the bars in Hawaii, what was I to do?When in doubt, take a tour! Well, since the tours were more than I cared to spend, I and a couple other young Anchor Clankers rented a taxi and went around the island of Oahu. Stopping here, along side a Pineapple plantation, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to have my picture taken to send home to Dad, who also dreamed of an Island Adventure one day.
PHOTOS TAKEN IN HAWAII	FOR THE LOG-19 CRUISE BOOK
	Here is a picture o the hard working crew from the X-Division (Admin). The picture forms a slight pyramid, and you can find me because I am the very top of the pyramid! If any of you in the picture, find this picture here, please send me Email!!!
CUBI POINT,	SUBIC BAY, P.I. JULY 1963
	Anyone who ever went to Subic Bay, remembers doing some much needed R& R on Grande Island, in the mouth of Subic Bay. I remember catching the liberty launch, allowed to go ashore in our dungarees this time.. and Jake experienced his first San Miguel and many to follow the first one - you can tell by the looks on my face! It's a wonder I didn't fall off and break my head.  If you remember this place, then you no doubt climbed on this Gun, or checked out the many rooms of the old concrete fortification; left-over ruins of the Spanish-American War.
	When Hannah finally tied up at Cubi Point in the P.I. we were 'crazy' for shore leave. Of course, they told us the safest place to spend our money (MPCs)was at the popular EM Club, known there as the Sky Club. Here you see me with 3 of my X Division shipmates drinking good ole San Magoo, while enjoying some female companionship.Pictured left to right is Ron Cless, Henry Weinberger, myself and Gary Hartsell - (I can't remember the ladies' names (sorry ladies! Except, of course, the one I am sitting with and it's a secret, sorry guys! but you can see I had good taste!
	A closeup of me and my 'hot date' from the above picture taken at the Sky Club.
HONG KONG FOR R & R	- THREE TIMES DURING WESTPAC '63
	If anyone served in Hancock during the 50's and 60's, they will recall of course, their port call on Hong Kong, and more than likely took a meal or two at the famous 'Tai-Pak' - a floating restaurant. This one was 'famous' because it was the scene in "The World of Suzie Wong" a movie of the '60's.
	A view of Victoria Peak through the Captain's Office Porthole, while at anchor in Hong Kong Harbor. I didn't much like Hong Kong. To me it was too much of a contract between the very Rich and the very poor. I came away from there with a complete new appreciation for my birthright in America and how well we American's have it in this country, which is taken far too often for granted! It is no surprise to me that China wanted this 'Gem' returned to them. I wonder if they will continue the status quo? Addendum: In 1997, the British returned Hong Kong to China and as of February 2006, they have more or less left Hong Kong alone. She continues to be an International Port and the 'Gem of the Far East'
IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA -	AIR OPERATIONS WHILE ON LINE
	Although part of WestPac '63 was during 'Peace Time' - we managed to log up enough casualties. This Burial at Sea was for "00" - "Double Nuts" - call sign for the Commanding Officer of one of our Squadrons. Jim Barbour relates this incident in his Oral History entry. I discovered much later by a Shipmate Jim Campbell, the name of this casualty. It was Lt Felton from VFP-63, who was doing CarQuals on that fateful day, during our ORI - Operational Readiness Inspection for WestPac '63. There's more to read on this in our Post Recommissioning Casualties Roster. I might add that this was a very sad occasion for all of us on Hancock. Being a "Crew" not one is lost without our feeling it deeply. It was during this time that we lost our Commander-in-Chief also, President John F. Kennedy on 22 November 1963..
	Here the 'Fighting Hannah' is tied up at Pier #3, NAS, Alameda. It was the last time I would see the Ship in my life through these eyes for I was separated from Active Duty in March of 1964, and as I was walking to the end of Pier #3, towards the Main Gate, I turned for the last time and snapped this picture and felt a twinge of sadness overtake me. I felt like I was leaving Home or a very good and familiar old Friend for the last time, and I was. - Jake

I wish I could have added more images - but I chose only those poignant to this Website