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Memories of Joe
Dan Smith: Joe always had a smile on his face, a good sense of humor, and was always ready to help.
Tony Johannesen: After coming out of the bush, Joe and I worked just feet apart in the BAS. Joe in Health Records, myself in Administration.
I remember Joe being a very compassionate and caring man. On Medcaps it seems the kids were always drawn to him, somehow knowing he would listen and treat their aches and pains with utmost skill and gentle manner. In a war-torn country, Joe brought help and hope to those who could not always do it themselves.
JOB WELL DONE JOE!
Please click on the address below to watch the service for Joe at Calvary Baptist Church, Fairfield, TX. The beginning of the service starts at about the 8:35 mark.
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Joe and I were Corpsmen, assigned to USMC 3/26, Vietnam, 68-69. We were both in Lima Company, in different platoons, and really didn’t get to connect until 3/26 was pulled out of the bush and staged back near Da Nang (June ’69?). At the BAS we worked and lived closely handling medical and personnel records. I gendered a lot of respect for Joe during that time; his work ethic, eagerness to help others, fairness and kindness extended to all. There was just something “different” about Joe. It wasn’t until I became a Christian, 31 years later, that I realized what was different about him. Joe was a man of faith and “loving his neighbor”. Most call that being a “nice/good guy”. Christians recognize that as living a Christ-centered life.
Joe Hancock had an amazing memory, and he backed that up with official documentation. That memory and documentation healed me of an emotional wound I carried from 1969-2002. A group of us Corpsmen got together for the first time since Vietnam. We shared things we had never revealed to others. My emotional wound was not knowing who the young Marine was that saved my life, by losing his. All my personal notes prior to that incident in Feb 69 had been lost during combat operations shortly afterwards. I carried the guilt of not being able to tell his family what a hero that young Marine was. Joe told me he had a detailed record of that day and indeed he did. After our gathering we talked and Joe helped me identify that Marine, David Wood Denlinger. I spent the next 15+ years trying to locate family, which I did. Joe not only cared for his men, he took pains to keep track of as many men as possible.
God Bless you Joe. You have demonstrated how a Godly man should live. Thank you my brother.
Jesse
Jesse Patmore:
On January 21, 2024 we lost Joe Hancock who was an important member of the corpsmen belonging to the 3/26 Marines. Joe was born on October 12, 1946 in Fairfield, Texas. He enlisted in the Navy in 1967 and became a Navy Hospital Corpsman. Joe served with the 3rd Battalion/26th Marine Regiment in Vietnam from December 1968 to December 1969. In Vietnam he first served in the bush with LIMA company as a platoon corpsman. It was at this time he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart after being wounded in action. After spending his time in the bush he was rotated back to the Battalion Aid Station (BAS). Joe was liked and well respected by the marines and corpsmen who knew him in LIMA company, and by those of us who worked with him at the BAS. Joe was full of energy and ideas on what tasks were being done and how to improve them. He was always pleasant to be around and if you had a problem Joe was there to listen and help in any way he could. Several of us were able to see and talk with Joe shortly before he passed. We sat in his living room and reminisced. It seemed like yesterday that we were back there. I don’t think anyone could have a more loving family than Joe. Thank you April, Robin and Kendall for showing us how admirable Joe was throughout his life. Upon seeing the You Tube funeral of Joe (below) you can tell how much he meant to his family and how much he meant to the city of Fairfield. We’ll deeply miss you Joe.
I knew the day would come when another one our Vietnam Navy Corpsmen “brothers” would cross the threshold. The first was Jim Wido (the philosophical one at 64 years old November 15, 2013) and now another one of our “Band of Brothers”, Joe Hancock (Jan 21, 2024). There is no Harvard Medical School or Cleveland Clinic over thinking explanation for the forever connection among us…It’s just there. I recall the first time I met Joe – I remember thinking he was cool headed and when he spoke this guy had to have immigrated to the United States from the Republic of Texas…There is just something about those people when they speak and walk with a distinctive swagger…You can always pick them (Texans) out…And with a first and middle name like Joe Tom it confirmed what I had already figured out. Joe was a patriot, a very kind and giving man and attentive husband and father. He never hesitated to help someone less fortunate than him and he never forgot he did not grow up privileged. I was fortunate to have served with him and the others in our group. At 80 years old I think I could accurately say to Jim and Joe I may well be along shortly. Brothers forever, Bill
Bill Vurnakes:
