Frank D. Hanson

Frank D. Hanson

I was born on October 10, 1928 at Iron River, Michigan. I altered my birth certificate to make me 17 years old in October 1944. I enlisted in the Navy on Minority Hitch — four years, at Marquette, Michigan on December 1944. I attended Boot Camp at "Rough It At Camp Moffett" located at Great Lakes Training Station, Illinois.

I was transferred to the U.S.S. Nassau CVE-16 at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, on May 1945. I was assigned to the "B" Division, Fireman "Black Gang". I served under Lt. 3g. M.3. Rodgers, Chief "WaterTender" Leiand Flint, and Chief "BoilerMaker - Country" Haddon. From these seasoned Veterans, I learned to operate and repair Superheated Steam Generators. I was assigned #l Burner Puncher. Most of these Engineers are gone now. They were the finest. The men on watch, in the Fire Room and Engine Room, endured unbelieveable temperatures — 100-130 degrees —down in the "hole" in the South Pacific.

My memorable events were the crossing of the Equator, and becoming a trusty Shellback (will be remembered). I remember the storm off Okinawa, when the List Clock on the boilers rolled 45 degrees to Port and 45 degrees to Starboard though the night. One time, when I was coming back off liberty at Hunters Point, California, I went on board the wrong Baby Flat Top and found somebody sleeping in my sack. ( I boarded one of our sister ships by mistake.) And finally,! was onboard the Nassau on her last Full Power Run.

I transferred off the Nassau in June 1946. I served on the U.S.S. Iowa BB-61 in 1946; the U.S.S. Columbus CA-74, the last Flagship in the Asiatic Squadron in 1947; and the U.S.S. Macon CA-132 Midshipman Cruise in 1948. I was discharged from the Navy at N.A.S. Norfolk.Virginia.

I married Elizebath A. Middlebrook in April 1950. We have two children and five grandchildren.