About Doug

Douglas Robert Hokenson was born on February 13, 1941, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He was the third child, second son, of Martin Henry Hokenson and Anna Lomax Hokenson, preceded by brother Marti H., Junior, and sister Claire Marie. He grew up in a classic New England neighborhood at 61 Nathanael Avenue in Pawtucket. His childhood friends reflected the diversity of the times – Irish, Jewish Italian, and Portuguese.

He attended Nathanael Green Elementary School and like the majority of his childhood friends was raised in the Catholic faith. When he was ready for high school, he took and passed the entrance examination for Classical High School, where he immersed himself in the classics, studying Greek and Roman history and Latin. This is where he developed his love of history on the one hand and the liberal arts on balance.

Growing up in a working-class family and neighborhood he had an understanding and appreciation for hard work and its rewards. From a very early age he found employment in the most interesting places, from bowling pin setter to golf caddy, The latter would benefit him when he went to college where was granted a scholarship from the John Burke Fund whose mission was, and continues to be, to provide incentives and scholarships for caddies.

Doug attended the University of Rhode Island where he obtained a BA degree in Political Science. He was a member of the Phi Mu Delta fraternity and served as its President in his senior year. He attended the university on an ROTC Scholarship and upon graduation was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He would continue this commitment following his graduation for three years as an Infantry Officer, Airborne Army Ranger in the Special Forces. During his active duty service, he received the Army Commendation Medal. After his discharge, he was an active member of the Army Reserve Corps for the following fifteen years during which time he was promoted to the rank of Major.

After his discharge from the active military, he applied for a position at the Central Intelligence Agency. Since this process of vetting and clearance was lengthy he found interim employment with Wyeth Laboratories as a Sales Representative, providing prescription drugs to medical offices in the New England Region. In 1965 he received notification that his application had been accepted and was offered a position with the Agency. He entered on duty in September of 1965 and spent the next thirty-four years serving his country as an Intelligence Officer.

His first overseas assignment was to Vietnam in 1969. By this time he had met and married Kathryn (Katie) Beck and they had their first child, a daughter named Christina. At the time of his assignment, the war was at a point where spouses with dependent children were not permitted to accompany the employee to the war zone. As a couple, they decided to opt for safe-havening in Taipei, Taiwan. This would afford Doug the opportunity to visit his family three times a year rather than a prolonged absence if they had opted to remain in the U.S. Doug undertook forty-four weeks of intensive Vietnamese language training, a grueling and challenging process at which he would excel. He spent two years “up country” in Dalat, located in the II Corps Sector and the agricultural center of South Viet Nam. Katie had the opportunity to make one visit to Dalat and was awed by the size of the fruit and vegetable markets still flourishing despite the war going on all around them. It was in Dalat that the Hokensons conceived their second child, a son Jeffrey, who would be born the following May in Taipei at the U.S. Naval Hospital.

Following that first tour, the Hokenson Family returned to the U.S. and settled in McLean, Virginia which they would call home. Doug would serve in various domestic assignments relating to Southeast Asia when he received his second overseas assignment to Jakarta, Indonesia in 1973. Once again, he entered intensive language training, this time Indonesian. After seven months of training, the family headed to the largest Muslim country in the world and a dramatic cultural experience. During the four years in Jakarta, Doug would build on his reputation as a gifted and talented officer.

In 1977 Doug returned to another domestic assignment as a deputy branch officer while awaiting another overseas assignment. In 1979, he was asked to serve In Manila. The family packed up again and headed for the Philippines. This was a very rewarding assignment, both personally and professionally. His reputation as a man of integrity and commitment was enhanced by his outstanding relationship with his Filipino counterparts. In 1982, he was selected for an assignment to Canberra, Australia. After a short home leave, he arrived in Canberra in September 1982 where he would serve with distinction as the Deputy Chief of the Station.

From 1982 to 1985 Doug served domestically as Deputy Chief of several branches in Southeast Asian offices. He also served as a member of the DCI’s Management Advisory Group. From 1985-88 he was Chief of the Indochina Operations Group. During this time he led three units that received commendations for their contributions and teamwork.

In 1988, he was asked to serve in Rome, Italy as the Deputy Chief of station. After six months of intensive Italian language training, Doug eagerly headed to Rome. This was at the height of the Gulf War and he was called upon to serve as Acting Chief for several months. His interaction and rapport with his Italian counterpart were instrumental in the quality and quantity of intelligence production and resources.

Upon returning to the U.S. in 1991, Doug was assigned to the Office of the Inspector General. His work produced numerous recommendations for changes that received approval by the Director.

In 1993 Doug served as Deputy Chief of Counterintelligence for East Asia. During his tenure, he developed several initiatives that became models followed by the Directorate of Operations. His experience and area expertise resulted in significant improvements in the counterintelligence posture.

From 1995-1997, Doug was appointed as Chief of a CIA Complement to DOD. He led a team of senior officers providing input and expertise to DOD. He was cited for his excellent team-building skills and received the DIA Director’s Award. He was pleased that he could end his career with the Agency on such a positive note.

Doug retired from the Agency in 1997 after 34-plus years of service to his country as a member of both the military and civilian services. Post-retirement, in 1998, he was called back to the Agency to receive the Intelligence Medal of Merit, a recognition of his years of service and dedication. He continued to work for the Agency as a contractual retiree until 2002.

Doug was an avid athlete – he was a runner, a cyclist, an accomplished tennis player, a basketballer and a golf hacker. His proudest moment was when he completed the Marine Corps Marathon in 1978. He was active until the very end of his life when cancer took its toll in 2005.