If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Brooklyn, NY
Last Address Birth: Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn) New York Death: Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Date of Passing Dec 27, 2013
Location of Interment U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium (VLM) - Annapolis, Maryland
Captain "Jack" Hoch was born on 13 April 1929 in Brooklyn, NY, to Captain John Emerson Hoch, USN (Ret.) and Alice Miller Hoch. In 1947, Jack graduated from Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, NJ.
After two uninspiring years as a civilian at Rutgers University, Jack excitedly accepted an appointment to USNA in 1949. Commissioned on June 5, 1953, he became a naval aviator in January 1955. His distinguished career involved service with Patrol Squadrons Three and Seven, Air Antisubmarine Squadron 34, Heavy Attack Squadron One and as CO of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 122. He qualified in 18 types of Navy airplanes and served ship's company tours in USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) as Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer and in USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) as "Air Boss." Jack later assumed command of USS MISSISSINEWA (AO-144), then served on COMNAVSURFLANT and COMSERVGRU TWO staffs, ultimately acceding to command as COMSERVRON TWO in Mayport, FL. Jack's final tour returned him to aviation as E-2C program Project Manager.
Jack's educational thirst was manifested by his MS degree in aeronautical engineering at the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA; graduating from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, 1965; completing the Senior Executives Course in the Sloan School of Management at MIT; and completing the Navy's Senior Officers Ship Material Readiness Course at the Nuclear Power Training Unit at Idaho Falls.
Jack received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Navy Commendation Medal w/one star, among many others. Jack especially loved Navy Air, including the tight-knit squadron camaraderie.
Those working for Jack universally respected his "firm but fair" leadership style and truly enjoyed serving with him. He took personal interest in his subordinates, resulting in their always giving him their best effort. Jack said that, if he could relive his career, he would do so in a heartbeat.
On 1 August 1982, Jack retired from his beloved Navy, settling in Annapolis, and remained active with the Class of '53, supporting Navy sports and football in particular.
Attention! The dates you selected for being assigned to this Unit are outside the 1973 to 1998 we believe this Unit was in existence. Can you please re-check your dates and click HERE if you wish to amend these? If you believe your Unit was in existence during your selected dates, please let us know at admin@togetherweserved.com.
Built by New York Navy. Laid down 1 July 1955, launched 6 June 1958, commissioned 10 Jan 1959. Redesignated as a multimission carrier (CV 62) 28 February 1973. after being modified to operate ASW aircraft. SLEP at Philadelphia Navy Yard 4/1985 to mid-1988.
Replaced Midwayas forward-deployed carrier in Japan, 1991. Island was extensively enlarged during SLEP and other modernizations. Replaced by Kitty Hawk in July 1998 and decommissioned to reserve on 30 September 1998. Struck from the Navy list on 8 March 2004.
Status:Stricken, to be disposed of (Maintenance Category X).
Planned disposition:In April 2004 Navy officials identified ex-Independence as one of 24 decommissioned ships available to be sunk as artificial reefs. As of February 2008, however, she was scheduled to be dismantled in the next five years.