[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 116 (Thursday, July 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MR. KENNETH HILTON HICKMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2019

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and 
recognize the achievements of Mr. Kenneth Hilton (K.H.) Hickman, a 
proud native and star athlete of Freeport, Illinois; Hickman served in 
the United States Navy as a Fire Control Technician Third Class (FT3) 
aboard the USS Bristol 857 Naval Destroyer. The USS Bristol was first 
commissioned in 1945 and served valiantly during World War II from 1944 
to 1946, including involvement at Pearl Harbor on June 9, 1945. From 
the time of Hickman's enlistment in 1954 to 1958, the USS Bristol was 
involved in various post-war activities: participation in operation 
SPRINGBOARD, refresher trainings in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Anti-
Submarine Duty with the Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic 
(ComAntiSubLant), a four month tour with the Sixth Fleet in the 
Mediterranean, involvement in the NATO exercise NEW BROOM V and various 
HUK operations, and a midshipman to Valpariso via the Panama Canal to 
engage in even more NATO exercises. Hickman's opportunity to have a 
well-rounded naval experience while serving his country was extensive 
and evident aboard the USS Bristol.
  On the morning of Thursday, July 31, 1958, just two years after 
graduating from Freeport High School in 1954 and enlisting to serve the 
U.S. Military, Hickman was lost at sea while serving. During time of 
his death, the ship had set sail for Bergen, Norway, Balboa, Spain and 
Hamburg, Germany for a six-week Midshipman cruise and Fleet Exercise. 
After 61 long years, we celebrate the life and service of Mr. Hickman. 
The state of Illinois is grateful for his sacrifice and blessed to 
honor such a public servant who dedicated his young years for a noble 
cause.

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