October 28, 1957
Photos courtesy of Larry Newman
Hanson Crew Rescues Downed Airmen
Spratley Island in the South China Sea
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Off to Spratley Island
Off to Spratley Island
On 27 October 1957,the USS Hanson DDR 832 was underway from Subic Bay, Philippine Islands
when she was ordered to Spratley Island, a small coral island in the South China Sea to rescue
several airmen whose craft had been damaged and was inoperative. Hanson arrived on the scene 28
October 1957. This photo is of the Captain's Gig as it sets off for the island.
Photo and notes by Larry Newman
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Bring 'em back alive!
Bring 'em back alive!
The airmen have been retrieved from the island. In the photo you can see Spratley Island.
On the right where the sky meets the sea, just above the gig, there is a dark dot with white on
either side. The dot is the wrecked plane, the white is the island.
Photo and notes by Larry Newman
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Where's that ladder?
Where's that ladder?
The rescue party approaches the starboard side of the Hanson with the rescued airmen.
Where is that darned ladder?
Photo and notes by Larry Newman
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Ready to come on board
Ready to come on board
Jack Kearcher, the engineer on the gig, indicates that the men in the yellow life jackets
are the rescued airmen. (Jack is the guy at bottom center with the coy smile) The Hanson XO
is standing at the top right. Chief "Boats" at the lower right.
Photo and notes by Larry Newman
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Welcome to the Hanson
Welcome to the Hanson
Mighty glad to be on board, the airmen are welcomed by the Hanson crew.
Photo and notes by Larry Newman
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Are we glad to see you
Are we glad to see you
The Hanson crew and the airmen get acquainted. With a job well done the ship headed back
to Subic Bay, arriving there on 31 October 1957. Just days later the ship steamed out of
Subic Bay en-route to San Diego, home port.
Photo and notes by Larry Newman