Donald Hitchings was in the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMF-323). As a skilled Tech Sergeant, Don was the "captain" of a crew of technicians that serviced a specific Corsair for its pilot. During the time with the VMF-323, Don became friendly with another team captain, Hal Pentheny, who was from Hopkinton. After the war Hal encouraged Don to consider living in Hopkinton and Don did, making Hopkinton his home for over 60 years and becoming another veteran who served on Okinawa with ties to Hopkinton, MA.