Kenneth Loop, the Backbone of Pilotry
Kenneth Loop: the Backbone of Pilotry By: Dariana ChowJosselyn
CordovaCecilia RojasChildhoodGrew up in Minneapolis MinnesotaVery
free childhoodNo curfewTrusting parentsNot very interested in
schoolPaperboy at 11Usher at movies at 16The TravelSigned up for
navy because of a girlGot out of school in January 1948, and joined
the Navy November of that yearReally nervous because it was his
first time away from home.5 days on the train ride from Minnesota
to San Diego.Boot CampNorth Island Navy Base in Coronado, San
DiegoReceived Aviation Mechanic training, big change for himFor
entertainment: drink, watch movies, dance, and listen to country
music because of the Texans in boot campStill in touch with fellow
bootcampers4Preconditions to Korean WarPrimarily the result of the
politicaldivision of KoreaNorth established a communist government,
while the South established a capitalist oneThe US provided 88% of
the international soldiers which aided South KoreaLife on USS
EssexDecent meals. Had food such as cereal, eggs and bacon,
chicken, all served buffet styleOnly males on board shipShowered in
rows, no privacySleeping arrangements: bunk beds with 3 beds
stacked on top of each other, really crowdedWoke up at 5, went to
bed at around 8 or 9Stayed connected with family through mail which
was delivered to the ship once a week
September 16, 1951A damaged F2H Banshee fighter plane crashed
into another plane on the flight deck of the USS Essex while
attempting to landKilled 7 crew members
PUT PICTURES OF ACCIDENT ON THIS PAGE!!!!!!8
Work on the ShipServed on the flight deck as a repair man of the
planesWorked on Jaguar jets which had 1 engine instead of the
Benshee jets which had 2 engines.Didnt see much combat on ship
since it was 30 miles off shoreMet Neil Armstrong, who was an
officer fighter pilot on his squad, and was said to
unfriendlyAccidents on the shipA couple of crew members walked into
the propellers of running airplanesOne time when Mr. Loop was
driving his Jeep on the deck of the USS Essex he was on the open
elevator on the side of the ship and he almost fell-car and all-
into the ocean
RelaxingFor holidays the crew members would have extra-fancy
meals On Christmas they even got a tree and dressed up as Santa
Clause Had Bob Hope and Tommy Dorsons Band on the shipGirls:
Decisions, DecisionsHis girlfriend in high school is what
influenced his decision to join the NavyIt was said that girls who
dated Air Force or Navy guys were bad girls because they were known
to just date them to get into the partiesMr. Loop and his Navy buds
met a group of girls who were on their way to Hemet. They later
decided to go to Hemet to look for these particular girls, but
without success. Upon entering a store for a drink, Mr. Loop would
meet the woman who would become his first wife.End of Korean WarThe
war continued with no end in sightA cease-fire was declared on
April 154,000 American livesThe indecisive conclusion stood in
contrast to the complete victory that ended World War II.15Coming
HomeAfter 4 years in the fighter squad, he went homeOn the last
day, he took his discharge papers and stayed in CaliforniaHis
served his last year forced by President TrumanMr. Loop met his 2nd
wife in California, got married, and has been in Riverside since
1952What the Navy taught Mr. LoopIt was a positive experience
because Mr. Loop had the opportunity to meet people from different
parts of the country.Formed many close bonds with his crew
membersLearned how to get along with others and do things on his
ownFamily follows his footstepsAfter Mr. Loop joined the navy, both
his younger brothers joined as well1 of his sons decided to enroll
in the navyAlso, his granddaughter's husband enrolled and just so
happened to be stationed at the USS Essex
MEMORIES
MEMORIES (cont)
