Capt Jack Laney 10/18/1920-05/12/2016

Capt Laney experienced a long, successful, and interesting career as a Naval aviator in WW2, Korea, and Viet Nam flying Patrol planes. If there was a plane on the field he flew it. For example he volunteered to fly recon missions over North Korea in Air Force B17s. He spoke with Admiral Halsey, Richard Nixon when he was Operations Officer of a small air field in the Mid West, and John Kennedy. The pinnacle of his career was command of Fleet Air Wing 10 home ported in San Jose, and he retired as Deputy Commander of the 11th Naval District in San Diego. After retiring, he earned a Masters Degree in Family Counseling but was unable to get employment as a counselor (a problem many veterans have encountered). He volunteered as a counselor for military personnel transitioning in San Diego - primarily Marines and Navy. He felt personally responsible for aiding veterans seeking further education and employment.

Story sent to us by Jack’s son, Jack T. Laney, who closed with the following: “I’m a Viet Nam veteran, retired Commander in the Navy Reserves in the “brown water” Navy - LST, Patrol Gunboat, Fleet Tug, and Mine Sweeper. My transition consisted of hanging around the unemployment office until I found a job that stuck”.

Jack Laney Obituary (2017) - San Diego, CA - San Diego Union-Tribune (legacy.com)