USS HANCOCK ASSOCIATION HISTORY
🛳️ Origins of the USS Hancock Association
The Association was founded in 1978 when former crew members of the USS Hancock (CV/CVA‑19) gathered in Atlantic City, New Jersey for their first reunion.
The founding credit goes to “plank owner” Edmund Orchowski, who helped formalize the group into a not‑for‑profit organization.
Its purpose is to preserve the memory of the ship and to bring together:
Ship’s company
Air group members
Marines
Families of crew members
Each of these groups can join as regular members (if they served aboard from 1944–1976) or associate members (family members).
📜 Mission and Activities
Perpetuate the legacy of the USS Hancock and its service from WWII through Vietnam.
Organize reunions to reconnect shipmates, share memories, and build new friendships.
Hold mini‑reunions organized by divisions or interest groups.
Rotate reunion locations across the country to balance travel costs and accessibility.
📅 Reunion History (1980–2027)
Below is a chronological list of major reunions, showing the Association’s commitment to geographic variety:
1980 — Boston
1982 — San Diego
1984 — Charleston
1986 — Chicago
1988 — New Orleans
1990 — Las Vegas
1992 — Seattle
1994 — Virginia Beach
1996 — Corpus Christi
1998 — New York
2000 — San Diego
2002 — New Orleans
2004 — San Francisco
2006 — Charleston
2008 — San Diego
2010 — Washington, D.C.
2012 — Chicago
2014 — Jacksonville
2016 — San Diego
2018 — Kansas City
2021 — Charleston
2023 — Reno
2025 — San Antonio
2027 — Planned for Providence, RI
Hancock Association Membership Overview
As a member of the Hancock Association, you are entitled to:
Attend Association reunions
Receive the HANNAH NEWS by email, our quarterly online newsletter published in March, June, September, and December
Membership Dues
Annual dues are $20.00.
Your initial $20 payment covers up to two years, with your membership adjusted to end on August 1.
After that, each $20 payment covers a full two‑year period, running from August 1 to August 1.
- Revised June 2026
