BREMERTON, Wash. — A Mansfield native was recently commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy during a ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
Ens. Josef Lindhout, stationed aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), was advanced from chief aviation ordnanceman and also received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during the ceremony.
The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps who meritorious service or achievement. It is awarded to service members who have performed exceptionally in routine duties or combat situations.
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is the ninth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and is named in honor of the 40th president of the United States.
The carrier provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Reagan is currently homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, while undergoing routine maintenance. The carrier arrived there on Aug. 13, 2024.
Lindhout was sworn in by Capt. Harry Evans, the carrier’s executive officer.
He received his medal from Cmdr. Jeffery Vanallen, “gun boss” for the Reagan.
The ceremony included the ship’s command honor guard, which paraded the colors.
Sailors who work in aviation ordinance are responsible for the storage, maintenance, inspection and handling of weapons and ammunition on Navy aircraft.
The USS Ronald Reagan is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a crew of more than 5,000 while underway and more than 60 aircraft.
The $4.5-billion ship was built at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., and was commissioned on July 12, 2003.
(Below are U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Estrada-Eguizabal)
