We’re the crewmen,
who proudly served on the USS Neches AO-47, the most decorated fleet tanker in the US Navy.
NOW HEAR THIS!
All those who served aboard the most decorated fleet tanker in the US Navy, the USS Neches AO47, any time between her commissioning in 1942 and decommissioning in 1970 are welcome to join the Association. To join, please contact Johnny Hanlon:
Email address: POPPA277@GMAIL.COM
Cell Phone: (918)760-7371
Mailing Address: 400 West 31st Court, Sand Springs, OK. 74063 .
When emailing to Johnny Hanlon, make sure you put "USS Neches AO-47" in the subject line. Membership dues are $15.00 per year. The Association has more than 125 active members including both AO-5 and AO-47 shipmates. We have a reunion each year at different locations throughout the US. If you know of any former crewmembers who may not be aware of our organization and may be interested in joining, please direct them to this website or let Johnny Hanlon know where he can contact them.
USS NECHES AO-47
A History of Courage
With nine battle stars during World War II in the Pacific, the USS Neches was the most decorated fleet tanker in the United States Navy. From Guadalcanal to Tokyo Bay and including operations in the Aleutian Islands, the Neches under the command of Captain H.G. Hansen, performed flawlessly in its task to supply the Pacific Fleet with fuel to ultimately defeat the Japanese. Not to be overshadowed by fighting ships, she shot down a Japanese suicide plane at Okinawa. The only tanker to do so in the entire war. Commissioned in September 1942 she replaced the original USS Neches AO-5 which was sunk by 3 Japanese torpedoes off Hawaii. She joined the fleet for fueling operations off Guadalcanal in November 1942. Showing the Admirals of the Pacific Fleet her ability to fuel without flaw, the Neches was asked to take part in every major invasion in the Pacific Theater. Those invasions included the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It was at Iwo Jima the crew watched as those gallant marines hoisted the flag atop Mt. Suribachi. A trip from Leyte Gulf in the Philippines to the South China Sea, with only a submarine as escort, to help lure the Japanese Fleet to battle with awaiting American Fleet was just one of the many assignment s she took part in.. Little wonder then when the Japanese surrendered, the USS Neches was invited to represent the Tanker Fleet and take part in the ceremonies in Tokyo Bay. She was the eleventh major ship to enter Tokyo Bay on August 29, 1945 four days before the surrender ceremonies.
Through over 1000 fuelings the Neches never parted a line or a fuel hose nor sustained a casualty and at one time even transported two captured Japanese pilots. She survived a devastating typhoon and struck a mine which tore a 22’ by 15’ hole in her side, yet continued on her ways to complete her assignments. After the war the Neches made trips to Persian Gulf, Hong Kong, Shanghai and many other ports of call. She served in the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War and was ultimately de-commissioned in 1970. Truly, a history of courage.
(Prepared by Ed Anderson, 1944-46, author of the book “Looking Back”)
