Davis Departing: On This Day In 1971 I Left The Aircraft Carrier USS Kitty Hawk

On this day in 1971 I saluted the ship’s American flag sharply and then walked down the brow of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk for the last time as a young sailor in San Diego. 

I served aboard the Kitty Hawk from the 1970 overhaul in Bremerton, Washington to our sea trials from our home port in San Diego, and on to Southeast Asia for the 1970-1971 WESTPAC cruise, the aircraft carrier's 5th Vietnam cruise. 

I served on "Yankee Station" in the Gulf of Tonkin in the South China Sea off the coast of North Vietnam during the aircraft carrier’s online periods. And I made port of calls to Honolulu, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Sasebo, Japan and Hong Kong.

It was quite an adventure for a young man.

I was 17 & 1/2 years old when I boarded the Kitty Hawk and 19 & 1/2 when I departed the carrier. 

Even after all these years, I recall vividly my two interesting years on the great aircraft carrier. 

I have mementos, photos and a framed large poster of the USS Kitty Hawk in my basement office and library, which reminds me daily of my time on the USS Kitty Hawk.

I'm proud of my service on the USS Kitty Hawk.