Lieutenant Commander William Edwin Hank (25 September 1902 – 14 November 1942) was an officer in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. Born at

Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Incorporated in 1705, it had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Be ...

, Hank graduated from the

Naval Academy A naval academy provides education for prospective naval officers. See also * Military academy A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally pro ...

in 1925. During the years before World War II, he served at various shore stations and in , , and . Commissioned a lieutenant commander in 1940, Hank took control of ''Laffey'' (DD-459) 1 April 1942. He received the

Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is eq ...

for his skillful handling of the ship during the

Battle of Cape Esperance The Battle of Cape Esperance, also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island and, in Japanese sources, as the , took place on 11–12 October 1942, in the Pacific War, Pacific campaign of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Unit ...

. Hank received a second Navy Cross for heroism during the

Naval Battle of Guadalcanal The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sometimes referred to as the Third and Fourth Battles of Savo Island, the Battle of the Solomons, the Battle of Friday the 13th, or, in Japanese sources, the , took place from 12 to 15 November 1942, and was t ...

12–13 November. As ''Laffey'' fought the Japanese battleship ''Hiei'', she was sunk by large caliber gunfire and a torpedo. Lieutenant Commander Hank was reported missing and presumed dead 14 November. His ship received the Presidential Unit Citation and he was awarded his second Navy Cross. (DD-702) was named for him, and was named for his ship.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hank, William Edwin 1902 births 1942 deaths United States Navy officers United States Navy personnel killed in World War II Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)