A system for error correction code (ECC) management of write-once memory (WOM) codes includes, for example, a controller for selecting between one of a WOM (Write-Only Memory) mode and an ECC (error correction code) mode. A codec is arranged to operate in the selected mode. The codec while operating in the ECC mode is arranged to identify a bit position of at least one bit error in response to ECC parity bits of a first received data word. The codec while operating in the WOM mode is arranged to receive a WOM-encoded word from an addressed location in a WOM device, to receive a second received data word to be encoded and written to the addressed location, and to generate WOM-encoded word for writing to the addressed location in the WOM device. The WOM-encoded word for writing to the addressed location is optionally ECC encoded.