USS Constant MSO 427

• USS Constant (MSO-427) was an Agile-class minesweeper built for the United States Navy, designed for clearing mines to ensure safe passage for naval and merchant vessels. • The ship was laid down on 16 August 1951 by the Fulton Shipyard in Antioch, California, and launched on 14 February 1953. • Commissioned on 8 September 1954, USS Constant served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, working out of Long Beach, California. • Her hull was constructed with wood and non-ferrous metals to reduce magnetic signature and minimize the risk of detonating magnetic mines. • USS Constant was deployed several times to the Western Pacific, participating in joint exercises and patrols with allied navies, especially during the Cold War era. • During the Vietnam War, the Constant performed patrol and minesweeping operations off the coast of South Vietnam, ensuring safe operation areas for U.S. and allied ships. • She earned multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation and campaign medals for her Vietnam service. • One notable incident occurred in 1969, when the Constant assisted a damaged vessel in the South China Sea, helping to prevent an environmental disaster and saving the crew. • USS Constant was decommissioned on 30 September 1992 after nearly four decades of service and was later struck from the Navy list. • Although the ship was eventually scrapped, her legacy lives on among her former crew members, who hold regular reunions to honor their service aboard the Constant.