Education
Born at Norfolk, Virginia, Hank graduated from the Naval Academy in 1925.
Born at Norfolk, Virginia, Hank graduated from the Naval Academy in 1925.
During the years before World World War II, he served at various shore stations and in United States Ship New York (California-2), United States Ship Hull (Doctor of Divinity-350), and United States Ship Saratoga (CV-3). Commissioned Lieutenant Commander in 1940, Hank took control of Laffey (Doctor of Divinity-459) 1 April 1942. As Laffey fought the Japanese battleship Hiei she was sunk by large caliber gunfire and a torpedo.
Lieutenant
Commander Hank was reported missing and presumed dead 14 November. His ship received the Presidential Unit Citation. United States Ship Hank (Doctor of Divinity-702) was named for him, and United States Ship Laffey (Doctor of Divinity-724) was named for his ship.
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.