Playing Taps: Page 2

Taps Page II

Our Taps Pages show no preference to who is placed here, either by Rank or Station in life. The Memorials are open to anyone who served aboard the USS Hancock CV/CVA-19, including our Attached Air Groups and are determined by their shipmates or next of kin.

If you would like to place a Shipmate or loved one here, the stipulation is that you have enough information on the deceased to place a Memorial here, and hopefully a photo.

Note: If you wish to suggest a name for either this main Taps Section or the Association Taps Page, please contact the Yeoman here. He will pass the information on to the USS Hancock Association's Officer in charge of listing deaths.

You may wish to add your own Memorial which we also list on our Visitor Taps Pages.

-- The U.S.S. Hancock CV/CVA-19 Association Taps List --

We have chosen not to list Association Taps information on this Website, but offer the Visitor a Link to the U.S.S. Hancock Association's Website Taps section.... Please visit their Tap's List - the Page will load extraneously: U.S.S. Hancock Association.

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

- Alfred Lord Tennyson -

Background Music "Crossing the Bar" is played after Taps is sounded

Hal Russell Crandall, LCDR, USN, KIA - 24 July 1963

LCDR Hal R. Crandall, USN
was killed in the performance of duty at Cubi Point NAS, P.I.,
24 July 1963

This Memorial is taken from FITRON 211 (VF-211) Newsletter called, "Checkmates" shortly after the accident as a "Dedication Memorial" to the late Lieutenant Commander Hal Russell CRANDALL.

"LCDR CRANDALL gave his life 24 July 1963, in a take-off at Cubi Point, Philippine Islands.

LCDR CRANDALL was an excellent pilot with the integrity, courage and fortitude that National heroes of the past were made of. He was a symbol of valor which every American youth would follow as an example in years to come.

We, the crew and officers at FITRON 211 are saddened by the void that is left among our ranks by the passing of LCDR CRANDALL. He was well known and respected by every man in our squadron, as well as other Crusader Squadrons throughout WESTPAC. He was a devoted husband and a loyal father.

To LCDR CRANDALL's Family: Today the Checkmates are sharing your bereavement during this hour of sadness, and we humbly pray that his soul will rest in Peace with the blessings of Him who said, "Let not your hearts be troubled: Ye believe in God, believeth also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: If it was not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there Ye may be also." - John 14:1-3"

This Dedication which was graciously provided us by a former member of VF-211 and was placed here to honor LCDR Crandall's sacrifice.

A photo-copy of the Dedication in PDF Adobe Reader format is available Here. A JayPeg photo of the Dedication which is readable, can be seen by clicking Here.

Special Note: LCDR CRANDALL was selected in April of 1959 as an Astronaut candidate and made it to the 12 finalists, but NASA then decided to cut this "final" selection to only 7 astronauts. This information provided by Mr. Tom Neal, Historian, who is doing research on the men and pilots selected in the NASA Space program. LCDR Hal Crandall's Naval Career Data is found Here.

If you wish to contact Mr. Tom Neal, or have further questions regarding LCDR Crandall, please click .

Rober H. Griffith, PO3, USN - R Division (Engineering) - 1964-1969
Taps Feb. 20, 2003, Kennesaw, GA.

Robert, served on the USS Hancock and loved to remember all the places he saw and things he learned, that without the Navy, he never would have.

After the Navy he became a CPA.

He died of cancer 4 days after his 61st Birthday on February 20th, 2003.

An independent , strong, squared-away sailor till the end. In his last days he reminisced quite a bit on his four years and I know it was the one if not the best years of his life. He wore his first Navy Uniform at the age of two, for his father who was also a Sailor, a Frogman in World War Two. He was called "Peaches" or "Griff".

Reported by his sister Patricia Griffith - 9-28-2009
pgriffith87+yahoo.com

Andrew H.Gibbons, Seaman 1/c USNR - V-3 Division - Ordnance - VF Fighters - Magic Carpet 1944 - 1946 (Decommissioning)

On 31 October 2007, the Yeoman received a message from Capt. Tom Wimberly of the Hancock Association, informing me that our good Friend and Shipmate, Dr. Andy Gibbons - a Hancock Association member for many years - had passed on to Glory.

We of the HANCOCK Community were deeply saddened to hear of this tremendous loss of a wonderful friend and loyal Hancock Shipmate.

Andy was very faithful to the Hancock and always exhibited exceptional Pride in his service aboard this historic Aircraft Carrier. His service aboard was exemplary, and it was quite apparent to the Yeoman of this Memorial (along with many others who knew him), that he truly was proud to have served aboard the USS HANCOCK CV-19.

Andy has contributed so much to this Website in various galleries which gives him a tremendous presence on this Website, and hence he will be exceptionally missed here aboard the "Cyber-Hannah CB-19".

Andy was a "Magic Carpet" Sailor and came aboard right after the end of the War in 1945 and remained aboard until decommissioning in 1946.

He most recently (2006) donated his copy of the "The Service man's Book of Scripture, Prayer and Hymns" which was supplied by the YMCA through the USO Organization, which the Yeoman sent on to the USS LEXINGTON Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas. Several other items were gladly received by that same Museum as time passed.

His contributions continued with the other memorabilia which we proudly display on this Website. These are viewable in his personal "Icons of the Past" Gallery Page listed below.

Born 18 Sept 1926 - Taps 31 October 2007.

Sail on, "Doc" Andy! We will miss you, and we'll never forget you!

May you find Fair Winds and Following Seas in those asure seas of the Great Beyond.

Jake Jaccard, YN3, USNR-R '61-'67
Web Yeoman, USS Hancock CV/CVA-19 Memorial '95-Present

You may find other mention of "Doc" Andy on the following pages here: Our Hancock "Icons of the Past Gallery"; Our Kudos Page; His Personal Contributions Page to the "Icons of the Past" Page. Another contribution found in the Public Information Office Page, Our WWII Main Gallery has several other contributions by "Doc" Andy. A News clip he sent the Yeoman on our 'Other Proud Hancocks' Page, and finally our Aircraft of WWII Page. Andy we are very thankful to you for all you did to make this Website the Best HANCOCK Memorial on the Internet - Rest in Peace, "Doc" - you certainly have earned it. - Jake

Tragedy Strikes Wilbur "D" Ausbrooks, Jr., EM3, USN - Memorial Services Aboard the U.S.S. HANCOCK CVA-19

Click Image for Larger
View

Memorial for Wilbur D. Ausbrooks, Jr.
Electrician's Mate Third Class, USN
E Division, Engineering Department

Wilbur "D" Ausbrooks, Jr., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur "D" Ausbrooks of Gallatin, Tennessee, was born on 16 October 1946 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Upon graduation from high school, Wilbur enlisted in the United States Navy in Denver, Colorado, on 17 June 1964. He received his recruit training at the Naval T raining Center, San Diego, California, following which he reported for duty to USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). Upon graduation from EM Class "A" School in San Diego, he reported to USS HANCOCK (CVA-19) for duty on 20 September 1965. In recognition of his skill and competency as an Electrician Mate's Striker, he was promoted to EM3. Wilbur proudly wore the Viet Nam Service Medal.

Wilbur Ausbrooks died in the line of duty on the morning of 18 January 1967. He was known as a cheerful person, who got along well with his shipmates, and who was reliable and efficient in the performance of his duties. We mourn his passing and honor his memory.

ETERNAL REST GRAND UNTO HIM O Lord, AND LET THY LIGHT SHINE PERPETUALLY UPON HIM.

Reported by Janice Jenn
janicejenn+aol.com
Photos of Wilbur's Memorial Service is provided in our Hancock Public Galleries - Shipmate's Memorial Section

Otis Thomas Grimes, Jr. - 27 April 1942 - 13 Feb 1962

Otis is buried at Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA.

Otis Thomas Grimes Jr (Tommy) was born 4-27-1942 in Altus, Oklahoma. He entered the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Hancock. Tommy began his Navy service in the WestPac Cruise of 1962. After arriving in Hawaii on 2-7-1962 Tommy was enjoying a liberty and was injured in a diving accident at Waikiki Beach. Our Lord took him home on 2-13-1962. He was laid to rest at the Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.

At the time of his death Tommy was survived by his Father Otis Thomas Grimes Sr., of Bakersfield, California. A sister and three brothers, Velta Ruth Moore, Robert Moore, Gary Moore and Kenneth Moore, all of Chicago, Illinois.

On 3-17-1962 a son was born to Tommy, Brian Lee Grimes. (Haywood) now of Tacoma, Washington. Tommy now has three grandsons and one granddaughter.

Although Otis Thomas Grimes Jr. never made it home to see his family and new son, we know that he was not without family. God Bless the crew of the USS Hancock for being his family away from home.

Memorial Submitted by Johanna Thompson, a friend of the family, for his son Brian Lee Grimes, so that Brian's father might be remembered by the Crew of the U.S.S. Hancock CVA-19, and also by Otis' family and progeny. Rest in Peace, Shipmate.
Contact Jake the Yeoman if you wish to contact Brian

Bruce Anthony Wisniewski, AN, USN - KIA - 24 Mar 1962

Bruce Anthony Wisniewski
was killed in the performance of duty
Aboard USS Hancock CVA-19
24 Mar 1962

This Taps Memorial is added here by James "Jim" Winn who wanted that we keep the memory of several shipmates alive in this Taps Section. Bruce Wisniewski was one of them. His other shipmate will follow Bruce's Memorial...

Both Bruce and Michael worked for Jim on the Flight deck crew that was responsible for starting the aircraft for launch. Jim Winn reported the following:

"Both Michael and Bruce worked for me on the Flight deck crew that was responsible for starting all of the aircraft for every launch. It was on the 1962 Westpac cruise and we were doing Flight Op's.

"Sometimes we stayed at flight quarters, 24 hours a day for 4 or 5 days. We had just made a launch and were trying to catch a short rest before the next one when we were notified by flight control that we had a late single plane launch that had been originally scratched.

Click Image for Larger View

"It was an F8U Crusader on the Starboard catapult.

"I sent Bruce out to start the crusader with one of the Tow tractor huffer units. Bruce must have hit a slick spot on the deck where JP4 had been spilled and was not entirely cleaned up.

"Bruce and the huffer slid over the Starboard edge of the flight deck and landed upside down on the outboard sponson 40 feet below. The sponson was directly over the main LOX tanks so there was immediate danger that the heat and fuel might set off a combustion with the LOX. The huffer had 30 gal of AVGAS onboard to run the turbine and 20 gallons of diesel for the huffer engine.

"The AVGAS drained out and caught fire from the hot engine and then set off the diesel.

"Flames raced 100 feet into the air, well above the flight deck until we got it under control with fog foam. Bruce was engulfed in flames and died almost instantly from the fire."

Photos provided by Shipmates Jim Winn and Dennis Flynn. Thanks to both who remembered this our Shipmate Bruce!

James "Jim" Winn, AMS3 (E4) in V-6 Division - Life Member #170 - U.S.S. Hancock CV/CVA-19 Association
JWinnfsm+aol.com

Michael Finno Jr., ADR3 06 Oct 1941 - 19 Mar 1995

V-6 Div, Mech Shop, Flight Deck Crew 1960-1962 - Wife Camille - Michael passed away March 19, 1995

Richard L. Corbin, PR3 18 July 1940 - Taps 30 July 2008

V-6 Div, Para Loft 1960-1961 - Wife: Sandra

Stanley Ray Todd - IC 4712, U.S.S. Hancock CVA-19 - late 60's to early 70's

Stanley Ray Todd worked as an Integrated Voice Communications Technician when stationed aboard the U.S.S. HANCOCK CVA-19.

This Taps report was relayed to the Yeoman of this Website 3/10/09 by his daughter, Misty Todd, with request that her father be listed as Ship's Company in the 70's.

Stanley crossed over the Bar with Taps being sounded 13 June 1997. Rest in Peace, Stanley, job well done.

Max Allan Martin, QMSN, USN - N Divsion 1961-1963 - Taps May 14, 2009

Max Allan Martin, QMSN of Comanche, Oklahoma. Hometown at time of his service was Ponca City, Oklahoma. Born November 18, 1942, in Wichita Kansas. Max joined the Navy when he was 18. He served on the USS Hancock from 1961-1963 (dates not exact). He was a navigator.

After he left the Navy, he attended University of Oklahoma College of Law. He practiced law until his death on May 14, 2009. He and his wife Nancy had one daughter, Melinda. Although his time on the Hancock was brief the experience deeply influenced the rest of his life and he took great pride in having served.

Rest in Peace, Shipmate!

Memorial reported by his widow, Nancy Murray Martin,
nmmartin(at)hotmail(dot)com

Taps Page II

General Taps List from the Hancock Associaiton *

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* Page Information: If you would like to place a Special Image Memorial like the others on this page, send at least one picture of your loved one or friend via Email Attachment and the Yeoman will place it along with a brief Bio of our departed shipmate. This page will be expanded to others in time. Please try to send a picture of our shipmate as he appeared in uniform and a more recent one if possible. - The Yeoman

If you wish to Contact Mr. Tom Neal or have further questions regarding LCDR Crandall, please Contact Jake.