August 26, 2023
USNPAA Plankowner, Life Member, and former Sightings editor
The Passing of CDR John Hoshko
Dear Association Members,
I am very saddened to report the recent passing of CDR John Hoshko.
John joined the Navy after graduating from Northwestern University and served as a surface warfare officer. His first ship, USS HOLDER (DDE-819), deployed for the naval quarantine of Cuba and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. After a tour as a recruiter, he became a PAO. As a PAO, John served at McMurdo Station in Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze; served in Vietnam at the U.S. Military Assistance Command; and in London where he was the deputy PAO for U.S. Naval Forces Europe.
I recall working with John when I was an action officer on the CHINFO News Desk. I remember calling him when I was working various news queries. John was always extremely responsive and thorough—one of those shipmates who provided you exactly what you needed—along with some very valuable background. Quite simply, he was the consummate professional who helped frame the PAO community as the respected organization it is today.
John retired from the Navy the same date his eldest son was sworn in as a Naval ROTC midshipman. However, he returned to active duty to be the Naval PAO liaison for the 1981 Presidential Inauguration Committee. He later became a director at the United States Navy Memorial.
John was a USNPAA plankowner and served as Sightings editor from 2001-2004.
John is survived by his wife, Ann, three sons, three daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. John will be buried at Arlington at a date to be determined. Please keep all of his family members in your thoughts.
Donations in memory of John can be made to the United States Navy Memorial.
Tom Jurkowsky
USNPAA President
More Notes from the Admiral
USNPAA Plankowner, Life Member, and former Sightings editor
The Passing of CDR John Hoshko
Dear Association Members,
I am very saddened to report the recent passing of CDR John Hoshko.
John joined the Navy after graduating from Northwestern University and served as a surface warfare officer. His first ship, USS HOLDER (DDE-819), deployed for the naval quarantine of Cuba and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. After a tour as a recruiter, he became a PAO. As a PAO, John served at McMurdo Station in Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze; served in Vietnam at the U.S. Military Assistance Command; and in London where he was the deputy PAO for U.S. Naval Forces Europe.
I recall working with John when I was an action officer on the CHINFO News Desk. I remember calling him when I was working various news queries. John was always extremely responsive and thorough—one of those shipmates who provided you exactly what you needed—along with some very valuable background. Quite simply, he was the consummate professional who helped frame the PAO community as the respected organization it is today.
John retired from the Navy the same date his eldest son was sworn in as a Naval ROTC midshipman. However, he returned to active duty to be the Naval PAO liaison for the 1981 Presidential Inauguration Committee. He later became a director at the United States Navy Memorial.
John was a USNPAA plankowner and served as Sightings editor from 2001-2004.
John is survived by his wife, Ann, three sons, three daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. John will be buried at Arlington at a date to be determined. Please keep all of his family members in your thoughts.
Donations in memory of John can be made to the United States Navy Memorial.
Tom Jurkowsky
USNPAA President
More Notes from the Admiral