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| USN USS Cabot CVL-28 VF-31 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Frank Hancock Jr., O-263521 USNR (MIA / KIA) MS MIA July 4, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as Model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-3 Hellcat bureau number 40259. Wartime History Assigned to USS Cabot (CVL-28) to Fighting Squadron 31 (VF-31). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On July 4, 1944 took off from the USS Cabot (CVL-28) piloted by Lt(jg) Frank Hancock Jr. on a fighter sweep over Iwo Jima. Over the target, the formation was intercepted by A6M5 Zero from the 301 Kōkūtai. Likely, this Hellcat was shot down by an intercepting Zeros. When Hancock failed to return he was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost is F6F Hellcat 40317 pilot Lt(jg) M. L. Loomis. Memorials Hancock was officially declared dead on February 4, 1946. He earned the Air Medal with Gold Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. Hancock is memorialized at at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 3. He also has a memorial marker at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Phoenix, MS. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-3 Hellcat 40259 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List July 1944 - F6F-3 Hellcat 40259 NARA VF-31 War Diary - Aircraft Action Report, July 4, 1944 pages 7-15 Kodochosho, 301 Kōkūtai, July 4, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frank Hancock Jr. FindAGrave - LtJg Frank Hancock Jr. (courts of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Frank Flowers Hancock, Jr (memorial marker) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 18, 2021 |
 F6F  MIA 1 Missing |
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