William Hank

Who was William Hank?

Lieutenant Commander William Edwin Hank was an officer in the United States Navy during World War II.

Born at Norfolk, Virginia, Hank graduated from the Naval Academy in 1925. During the years before World War II, he served at various shore stations and in USS New York, USS Hull, and USS Saratoga .

Commissioned Lieutenant Commander in 1940, Hank took control of Laffey 1 April 1942. He received the Navy Cross for his skillful handling of the ship during the Battle of Cape Esperance.

Hank received a second Navy Cross for heroism during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal 12–13 November. As Laffey fought the Japanese battleship Hiei she was sunk by large caliber gunfire and a torpedo. Lt. Cmdr. Hank was reported missing and presumed dead 14 November. His ship received the Presidential Unit Citation.

USS Hank was named for him, and USS Laffey was named for his ship.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.