JOHN B. CDR USN McKINNY

McKINNY, JOHN B. CDR, USN (RET.) December 8, 1922 to October 21, 2012 John B. McKinny, 89, of Coronado passed away peacefully of natural causes Sunday morning, October 21st. He was loved, admired and respected by all who knew him. John was born in Brooklyn, NY, to Alexander and Veronica (Blackhall) McKinny. He was the second of five children. John attended Garden City H.S. where he excelled at football and graduated in June of 1940. He later attended the University of Southern California. At the outbreak of World War II, John joined the U.S. Navy and distinguished himself as a Naval Aviator. He received flight training in Corpus Christi, TX, and received his commission and wings in July of 1943. As a pilot of Torpedo Squadron 13 (VT-13), attached to the USS Franklin, he sailed to the Pacific Theater via North Island, San Diego. During his brief stay-over, John knew he wanted to make Coronado his home. As a TBF pilot, he participated in campaigns on Guam, Iwo Jima, Palau, Saipan, Okinawa, Formosa, and the Battle of the Philippines. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, John was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism for his participation in the sinking of an enemy aircraft carrier. He also earned the Distinguished FIylng Cross and two Air Medals. His naval career included participation in the Berlin Airlift, flying F4-D jet aircraft, the Navy's first Air Defense All Weather Fighter Unit, and Commands of an Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron (VS-2S), and the Air Group, Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kaneohe, HI. In 1947, while stationed in Honolulu, John met his future wife, Helen L. (Williams) McKinny, at the John Rogers Navy Officer's Club. They married in 1950 and made Coronado their home. They raised three children, Linda, John and Tom. In 1964, John and Helen founded the 'Royal Order of the Swans', a social club whose members were all Naval Officers and wives. The close friendships engendered continue to endure. After his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1968, John flew for General Dynamics out of Lindberg Field until his retirement in 1978. For the next twenty years, he went to 'work' several times weekly to play golf with many friends at the Coronado Golf Course. John was predeceased by his wife Helen and his brothers, Alexander (Sandy) and Doug. He passed away on what would have been John and Helen's 62nd wedding anniversary. He is survived by his sisters Barbara and Carol, sister-in-law Donna McKinny and his daughter, Linda, sons. John and Tom, daughter-in-law, Nancy, and three grandchildren, James, Sarah, and Rebecca. John was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, Mission Valley, since 1971. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 2111 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego on Monday, October 29, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Methodist Church.