CM Q3 FINAL DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 18
L
akewood
resident Ken
Hitchens
embarked on a significant
journey of service
when he enlisted in
the United States Navy
in 1967. For three
years, the Lieutenant
dedicated his active
duty to the USS Valor,
MSO 472 minesweeper.
His role encompassed
a diverse array of
responsibilities, reflecting
the multifaceted nature of
life on this extraordinary
vessel.
During his time in
the Navy, Hitchens was
involved in various
joint North Atlantic
Treaty Organization
(NATO) exercises,
short training missions,
18
and critical missions
aimed at locating,
removing, detonating
and deactivating marine
mines. Beyond these
vital duties, he carried
the weight of leadership,
overseeing thirty sailors
and petty officers aboard
the ship.
Hitchens’s role
was not confined to
a single department;
rather, he wore many
hats. From managing
supply chain logistics to
ensuring the provision
of food services, and
from participating in
the intricate task of
minesweeping activities
to coordinating
refueling operations,
Hitchens found himself
navigating a multitude
of responsibilities. He
also took charge of
supervising weapon
gunnery exercises,
adding another layer of
complexity to his duties.
“A small ship was
a great way to get a
lot of opportunities
and responsibility that
would not have been
available on a larger
ship,” said Hitchens.
“I met extraordinary
people and as most
others would agree, it
was a pivotal experience
in my life at 23 years of
age.”
What made his
experience particularly
unique was the setting
of a minesweeper, a
relatively compact
vessel compared to
larger ships in the
Navy. The USS Valor
measured 175 feet in
length and had a beam
of 35 feet. It sported a
distinctive wooden hull
and was powered by
four aluminum diesel
engines, all designed
to maintain a low
magnetic signature.
The ship featured an
“open bridge,” exposed
to the elements except
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