The Keneman Chronicles
by
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As a change of pace and an effort to give the anti-aircraft gunners a test of their reaction time somebody got a bright Idea called “Surprise Fire.” Plus, they felt we, the fly- boys, were the only ones that could set it up. Who else could get a target in the air at 500 or more feet? The idea was that we could perform this feat on one of our returns from playing human radar. Now the target suggested was a parachute flare. We would eject the flare from the plane, then get the hell out of the way and let the .50 calibers Brownings bang away at it.
The air boss says with a big smile, you’re the flare ejector so I guess I would have to earn my 15 bucks. On returning to the ship, we had quietly finished our four hour search and destroy mission. On the down wind the pilot yelled, “Lets do it.” With an abrupt 180 over the ship he shouted, “Eject the Flare!” I pulled the release and away it went. “Has it lit up?” he yelled. The response, “I don’t see a damn thing.” “Take a good look. See it NOW?” “Oh yea, we are towing it. It’s lit up real good and beating on the rudder. You should be able to feel it on the stick.” The pilot yelled, “Do something to get rid of lt. We don’t want to catch fire”. The reply, “I don’t think that’s going to happen. The chute went over the horizontal stabilizer strut while the flare went under it.”
The pilot, “Lower the turtleback and crawl out there and see if you can break it loose with the stick.” “You got to be kidding” was my retort. But, I removed my chute, rotated the rear seat to face aft. The gun was swung out of the way and locked, the gunners safety belt was put on and the turtleback lowered. As I leaned out over the turtleback, my comment, “Have I gone nuts? What the hell am I doing?” Lucky for me, there with a loud pop and the flare burned out. With a sigh of relief, my comment was, “There isn’t much of the flare body left, I think you can land safely now.” The .30 caliber returned under the turtleback. My chute was replaced and I sat down shaking like a puppy trying to pass a peach seed. We made a perfect landing on the slick and prepared to be hoisted aboard. Surprisingly, “Surprised Fire” was never repeated again
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About the Book
THE KENEMAN CHRONICLES
This is a unique form of career History; it consists of over 100 short stories covering a 22-year period of a U. S. Naval career, which began 74 years ago in 1937. In those days the entry pay of an Apprentice Seaman was $21.00 a month or and average of about six cents an hour.
The story’s, in most cases, but not all, are basically inserted in the their order of occurrence. However, when the subject matter changes to individuals, ships aircraft battles, etc., the story’s book location may have been controlled mostly by its subject matter. The fact remains that each story, regardless of time, is complete unto itself. Further, many of the stories herein include the author’s analysis and personal opinion of the event or individual being described. This was done for the purpose of making the story more complete or interesting. Please understand in almost every case each story is as true as possible based on personal experiences, observations and people I have known or met that have provided additional information to assist in completing the effort.
The author at the tender age of 92 years is still enjoying a retired life. He has made his computer a friend that will preserve his thoughts and opinions for long after he has reported to his last duty station!
About the Author
THE KENEMAN CHRONICLES The Author’s Biography Preparing this volume has been the author’s first efforts at writing personal experiences or observations for publication. All his prior efforts were formal military documents while were prepared as an employee of the U. S. Navy Department. His personal efforts reported herein began after his almost 42 years combined service in uniform and as a civilian employee of the U S Navy Department. This career began when he enlisted in the Navy in 1937 at age 18. The Navy trained him for Ordnance duty in shipboard and aviation ordnance. In that particular time frame aviation appeared to be area with the most potential. However, His first sea duty began in the 2nd Deck Division of the Light Cruiser USS Memphis, CL-13. It took over a year to obtain his desired change into aviation. However, He never regretted the early days as a deckhand because it provided him the basic Navy philosophy, when you learn you earn. His first Aviation tour began with Patrol Squadron 11 flying Consolidated Catalina PBY-2’s, where his ordnance background knowledge earned this young sailor a 3rd Class Petty Officer rating as Aviation Ordnanceman Shortly thereafter, he returned to the USS Memphis to aid in forming a new Aviation Unit. He began flying South Atlantic neutrality patrols as a rear seat crewman in the Curtiss SOC-2 Seagull. During this duty, he was promotion to Petty Officer 2nd Class while sharing with others the thrill of catapult flight until the end of his enlistment. He was then shipped back to the Naval Receiving Ship, New York for discharge. His arrival at the Receiving Ship was just a few days after the Pearl Harbor bombing. It was obvious it would be a long war. On reenlisting he began what became a lifetime career. This period began at the Naval Air Station, Argentia, Newfoundland, Here he was responsible for aiding in the establishment of an ordnance supply depot. For said duty the Department of the Navy, Bureau of Navigation automatically promoted him to Petty Officer 1st Class. He then received orders to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL. Those individuals who were proficient Combat Aircrewman, were assigned to instructing in aerial gunnery. During this tour he was select for promotion to Chief Petty Officer. Having been selected at age 25, he had to be one of the youngest, if not the youngest E-7 in the Navy! This tour was followed up with Shore Duty at the Aircraft Overhaul and Repair Department, NAS Norfolk, His best Job at said facility was Chief in Charge, Aircraft Multi-Engine flight Test. Next he spent over 2 excellent duty years serving in the USS Coral Sea CVA-43. Immediately followed by Patrol Squadron 44. When selected for duty on the staff of the Commander, Naval Air Forces U.S. Atlantic Fleet, in reality it guaranteed a lifetime career. On Military Retirement he spent 20 years working for the Department of the Navy, retiring from the Naval Air Systems Command, as Head, Naval Air Documentation Policy and Programs Office. Prepared 04-11-09