Lloyd Franklin Cooper

I was born in 1923, the second child of a family of three boys and one girl. We lived in Browntown, Virginia, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains until 1929 when the Great Depression arrived. Father became gravely ill and died. Mother was forced to sell everything and move to Dayton, Virginia, with her parents. Eventually, I was released into a foster home.

After graduating high school, I enlisted in the Navy Aviation Cadet program. After successfully completing the program, I was designated a Naval Aviator and commissioned a Navy Ensign. I was assigned to fly IBM Torpedo Bombers, commenced operational training for the Fleet, and went to San Diego. I was assigned to a squadron aboard the aircraft carrier USS Manila Bay which stayed with the Fleet until war’s end.

I liked the Navy and applied for a transfer from the Reserves to the regular Navy. Since acceptance to the aviation program required a college degree, I was given five semesters of college to place me on a more equal footing with those already in the program. Now, I was ready to begin my career.

My final assignment, Chief of Staff of the Naval District, sent me to Seattle where earlier I had met Connie, the beautiful, wonderful girl I married. I had now come full circle in the Navy and retired to Coronado to live out the rest of my days.

I have two children, Linda and Lloyd, two granddaughters, Wendy and Noelle, and one great-granddaughter, Harper.