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Shipmate: Willis H. Moelller Rank/Rate: Ensign USNR Division: 0 If not listed: Fighting Squadron Six (VF-6) Pilot Navy Home of Record: City: Fort Dodge, St: Iowa Years Aboard: From: 9 March '45 to 25 Oct '45 Gallery: Willie Moeller in VF-6 '45 ,

Brief Biography: Willie was a skilled machinest and grew up in the family sheet and metal business. He received his flight training as a dive bomber at Corpus Christi. Had some duty in VB-98 before being assigned to VF-6. Willie played an important part in the "Battle of Kagoshima Bay" (which did not quite happen)in which he was in the division of four pilots flying Hellcats from the Hancock. They had been sent to help rescue "Slim" Pete Somerville who was in his life raft following a raid on Kagoshima Bay. Slim had bailed out and while in his liferaft was expecting to do battle with another Japanese Piot also in the water for the first Battle of the Inland Sea. Willie was flying on Cherry Klingler and was with Ens Baker and Ens Louie Davis. They were sent to protect Somerville in the water and in so doing became involved in a dog fight directly over Somerville. Unfourtunately, Louie Davis was lost in the dog fight while Willie, Cherry and Baker accounted for five hostil Japanese fighters. All this took place with in a couple minutes. Somerville was picked up by a float plane from one of our battle ships. Somerville went on to become a federal judge and served on the U. S. Court of Appeals in Kansas City for years after. Willie and his bride, Phyllis, made their home in later years back in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Taps: Sept 29, 2005 Location: Fort Dodge, Iowa Memorial Posted on: Sunday, October 2, 2005 at 10:24:35 AM Posted By: Relationship: Shipmate Email: hapahl@gewtgoin.net

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Shipmate: Roger W. Gunn Rank/Rate: AM1 Division: 0 If not listed: "Butch" O'Hare's VF-3 Navy Home of Record: City: UNK, St: UNK Years Aboard: From: 1945 to 1945 Gallery: [Roger Gunn1] [Roger Gunn2]  [Roger Gunn3]

Brief Biography: On 23 August, 1945, while Admiral Halsey's "Operation Tin-Type" was taking place, tragedy struck our squadron when Roger W. Gunn, AM First Class was electrocuted, in an unusual accident, in the Aviation Metal shop. Gunn was making souvenir ash trays from the butt ends of solid brass 40MM and 5" shell casings. The electric drill he was using was apparently improperly grounded.

Taps: 23 August 1945 Location: During Deployment, NA Memorial Posted on: , April 23, 2005 at 1:51:01 PM Posted By: Capt Herschel A. Pahl, USN Relationship: Shipmate Email: hapahl@getgoin.net

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Shipmate: Finley. James P Rank/Rate: Division: V-3 (AIR) Division If not listed: Navy Home of Record: City: Augusta, St: Ga Years Aboard: From: 1957 to 1958 Gallery: [Jim Finley]

Brief Biography: My father always spoke very fondly of his time aboard the Hancock. I still have is dress blacks, ship's menus from 1957, etc.

Taps: May 12, 1981 Location: Augusta, Ga Memorial Posted on: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 9:53:42 PM Posted By: Scott Finley Relationship: Father Email: scotty2561@knology.net

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Shipmate: Donnie Hartzell Rank/Rate: GMG3 Division: G Division If not listed: Navy Home of Record: City: , St: Years Aboard: From: 1964 to 1966 Gallery: None

Brief Biography: One morning was entering the galley at Philadelphia Shipyard in 1987. Happened to notice the name of the galley 'Hartzell Hall' and a picture. I was stunned. There was my old buddy from the ships armory! We both had applied for River Patrol in the 'Nam, Donnie's chit went through and mine was shot down. Donnie received the Silver Star, posthumously, died a hero in 1968? Saw his name on the Wall.

Taps: 1967-68 Location: River in Viet Nam, confusion Memorial Posted on: Monday, November 29, 2004 at 1:02:42 PM Posted By: AOCS Danny Blevins Relationship: Buddy Email: psalmzinger@aol.com

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Shipmate: Larry Vergin Rank/Rate: AO3 Division: GM Division If not listed: Navy Home of Record: City: Poysippi, St: WI Years Aboard: From: 1965 to 1968 Gallery: [Larry Vergin1] , [Larry Vergin2]

Brief Biography: Larry was one of my best friends. He came home from working the mid shift at the Norge plant, went to bed and never woke up. Wasn't sick. The Lord just sent him PCS Orders for the most exalted tour of duty. God bless his memory. AOCS Danny Blevins

Taps: January 2004 Location: Berlin , WI Memorial Posted on: Thursday, November 25, 2004 at 11:10:40 AM Posted By: AOCS Danny Blevins Relationship: Shipmate Email: psalmzinger@aol.com

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Shipmate: Alexander, Dewey L. Rank/Rate: LT(jg) (LDO) Division: X (ADMIN) Division If not listed: Navy Home of Record: City: Houston, St: TX Years Aboard: From: 1960? to 1964 Tribute Page : [Go there]

Brief Biography: Master Chief Alexander was a friend of mine, whom I worked with in the Captain's Office from 1962-1964. He was a wonderful man and a good and proud Sailor. This Website is dedicated to Ltjg Alexander (See Website's Tributes Page). Ltjg Alexander was killed in the fire aboard ORISKANY in 1966. He is sadly missed!

Taps: 1966 Location: Tonkin Gulf, Vietnam Memorial Posted on: Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 12:36:55 PM Posted By: Jake - the Yeoman Relationship: Shipmate Email: Jake

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Shipmate: Clint, Orlen Frank Rank/Rate: YN2 Division: X (ADMIN) Division If not listed: Navy Home of Record: City: East Grand Forks, St: MN Years Aboard: From: 1961? to 1964 Gallery: Orlen Frank Clint

Brief Biography: Orlen worked in the Personnel Office aboard the Hancock and was my friend. We went to all the sights in WestPac and took all the tours. He was a "Measure Above" the average Sailor. He is sadly missed.

Taps: 1991? Location: East Grand Forks, MN Memorial Posted on: Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 12:20:38 PM Posted By: Ken "Jake" Jaccard, YN3, USNR-R Relationship: Shipmate Email: Jake

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