The U.S. Navy operated a wide variety of ships during the war, including river patrol boats, supply ships, helicopter carriers, hospital ships, troop transport vessels, destroyers, battleships, submarines, and aircraft carriers. Each came with its own unique mission, living conditions, and level of risk. My experience was primarily aboard the USS Hancock, where I served with a fighter squadron during multiple deployments to Vietnam.

A War Horse from Another Era

The USS Hancock was unlike most other aircraft carriers serving during the Vietnam War. Originally built during World War II as an Essex-class carrier, it was designed for propeller-driven aircraft and featured a straight flight deck. Later, it was retrofitted with an angled flight deck to accommodate jet aircraft, but despite the modifications, it remained the smallest aircraft carrier in the U.S. fleet.

The Hancock had already earned a distinguished combat record during World War II and the Korean War before spending much of the Vietnam War conducting combat operations. The ship would deploy for lengthy tours, return to the United States for repairs and replenishment, and then head back into the combat zone. In fact, the Hancock was one of the primary ships involved in the final evacuation of Vietnam, including the famous scenes of helicopters being pushed overboard to make room on the flight deck.

While the ship had a proud history, it was also known for being one of the more dangerous places to serve. Many sailors considered an assignment ashore in Da Nang, despite the threat of enemy rocket attacks, to be safer and more comfortable than serving aboard the Hancock. During my deployments, we often lost more personnel aboard the ship than were lost by sailors assigned onshore.

Living Conditions at Sea

Life aboard the Hancock was far from comfortable. The ship was originally designed to accommodate approximately 1,500 sailors, but during Vietnam it often carried nearly 2,800 personnel. Every available space became sleeping quarters. For six months, I slept in a rack squeezed between an asbestos-covered pipe and a steel beam with only inches of clearance. It was so hidden that no one could even see me once I crawled into it.

The ship vibrated constantly due to a damaged propeller, and many compartments still showed the scars of previous combat damage. Asbestos-lined pipes ran throughout the vessel, and dust from those coverings routinely filled passageways. Fresh water was another ongoing problem. Jet fuel contamination regularly found its way into the ship's water system, resulting in drinking water, coffee, and showers that often smelled strongly of JP-5 fuel. Sailors joked that some days there was more water than fuel in the system.

Food service was equally challenging. Feeding nearly twice the ship's intended capacity strained the galley, and meals were often poor. Nevertheless, most sailors were grateful simply to receive a hot meal.

Danger on the Flight Deck

The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is often described as one of the most dangerous workplaces in the world, and that was especially true aboard the Hancock. The smaller deck left little room for error during flight operations.

I witnessed sailors narrowly escape being sucked into jet intakes, aircraft crash during landings, and planes lost overboard due to catapult failures. During rough seas and typhoons, sailors assigned to flight deck watch were tied off with ropes while inspecting aircraft tie-downs in hurricane-force winds and driving rain. The work was exhausting and hazardous.

Plane crashes often resulted in fires that threatened the entire ship. On more than one occasion, I responded to emergency calls during general quarters and helped fight fires in smoke-filled compartments. The combination of burning fuel, paint, rubber, and other materials created conditions that were nearly impossible to endure. Some sailors collapsed from smoke inhalation while others worked desperately to contain the blaze and prevent catastrophic explosions from nearby ordnance.

Long Hours and Relentless Operations

The pace of operations aboard the Hancock was relentless. Twelve- to sixteen-hour workdays were common. During major combat operations, sailors sometimes worked around the clock. During the Battle of An Lộc in 1972, I remember working nearly forty consecutive hours as aircraft launched and recovered continuously to support troops on the ground.

Aircraft often returned riddled with bullet holes, and maintenance crews worked tirelessly to patch them up and return them to service. During these periods, meals were frequently reduced to quick C-ration breaks in the hangar bay before returning to work.

Brief Escapes and Memorable Moments

Despite the hardships, there were moments of relief. The ship periodically visited Subic Bay in the Philippines for repairs and resupply, and sailors occasionally received rest-and-relaxation leave in places such as Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia. These opportunities provided much-needed breaks from the demanding routine of life at sea.

Music also played an important role in maintaining morale. Armed Forces Radio and the ship's internal radio station provided a connection to home and the outside world during long deployments. For many sailors, music was one of the few comforts available while spending months at sea.

A Lasting Impact

Serving aboard the USS Hancock was an experience unlike any other. The ship was old, crowded, dangerous, and demanding, but it played a critical role throughout the Vietnam War. The years I spent aboard her, from 1970 through 1973, left a lasting impact on both my life and my health. Looking back, I often think I would have preferred serving ashore in Da Nang rather than spending years aboard the Hancock, but the experience became an unforgettable chapter in my military service.

The USS Hancock was truly a war horse, one that served through multiple conflicts, carried generations of sailors into harm's way, and earned its place in naval history. For those of us who served aboard her, the memories remain vivid decades later.