Star Trek: Discovery honors actor Kenneth Mitchell in season 4 finale with the USS Mitchell

"There Is A Tide..." -- Ep#312 -- Pictured: Kenneth Mitchell as Aurellio of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. Photo Cr: Michael Gibson/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MARCH 20, 2022 - Star Trek actor Kennth Mitchell, living with ALS, was honored last week during the Star Trek: Discovery season finale with a new ship - the U.S.S. Mitchell.

During the episode “Coming Home”, fans can see the NCC-325027, a Merian-class vessel named for the actor. Fans took note, and one Twitter user posted an image of the new ship, saying, “Legends get ships named after them and @MrKenMitchell is absolutely legendary.”

Mitchell responded to the post, expressing his gratitude for the recognition from his Star Trek family. Mitchell wrote, “An absolute thrill & HONOR for my family. Thank you The U.S.S. MITCHELL  NCC-325027 is always available for the assist. FOREVER”.

An absolute thrill & HONOR for my family. Thank you 🙏 😭
The U.S.S. MITCHELL NCC-325027 is always available for the assist. FOREVER 🖖🏻 #canon #StarTrek #StarTrekDiscovery https://t.co/dZRTb0RxGv

— Kenneth Mitchell (@MrKenMitchell) March 19, 2022

It’s been just over two years since Mitchell revealed to the public that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Mitchell has needed the use of a wheelchair since October of 2019. Despite his diagnosis, Mitchell has continued to act, lending his voice to Star Trek: Lower Decks, as well as appearing in the third season of Discovery. Unfortunately, the condition has now claimed Mitchell’s voice, but that didn’t stop him from appearing onstage during the 55 Year Mission to an outpouring of love from the fans. Mitchell used a computer generated voice to answer fan questions and even joked, saying, “I have been assimilated”.

You can see the new U.S.S. Mitchell for yourself in “Coming Home”. The first four seasons of Star Trek: Discovery are available to stream now on Paramount+.