Charles Herbert Kinney

Charles Herbert \"Herb\" Kinney, 77, of Lynchburg, died Friday, September 30, 2011 at his residence. Born September 20, 1934 in Carthage, MO, the son of Dorothy Turk Kinney and the late Charles Wesley Kinney.

Herb grew up in Washington, DC and graduated high school in 1952. Herb attended the University of Maryland as an engineering student. Herb discovered flying at College Park airport and attained his Private Pilot\"™s License in 1954 and later his Instrument Rating and Commercial license in 1955. He Joined the Navy as an Aviation Cadet and entered navy flight training on 30 March, 1955. Completing Pre-Flight in August, 1955, he went on to basic training at Whiting Field in January 1956; Completing a variety of flight training, Herb was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator on September 20, 1956.

Ordered to the fleet and served in VA-83 at Oceana, VA for 4 years starting in October, 1956, flying F-7U Cutlasses and then A-4 Skyhawks. Deployed aboard USS Essex to Mediterranean in 1958. Participated in the Lebanon crisis of 1958 and the Quemoy/Matsu Island crisis, also of 1958. Participated in the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959. Deployed again on USS Forrestal to the Mediterranean in early 1960. Left VA-83 in May, 1960, under orders to VA-42 at Oceana to be A-4 Instructor pilot.

On July 16, 1960, married Judith Ann Strong, the sister of his fellow aviator Cadet Henry H. Strong, Jr. and bought a house in Virginia Beach, VA.  

Served in VA-43 for three years, commencing in June, 1960. Served as both an A-4 pilot instructor and A-4 radar instructor, flying the A-1E as a training platform. Promoted to lieutenant, USN.

Selected among the first pilots to be trained in the new, all-weather A-6 Intruder. Ordered to VA-75 in October, 1963, first fleet squadron to employ the new aircraft. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander. Deployed aboard USS Independence in 1965 to S E Asia (Vietnam). Deployed with VA-75 to Mediterranean on Independence in 1966 in A-6s.

In January, 1967, ordered to VA-42 as instructor in all aspects of A-6 training. Served as pilot and B/N instructor for A-6s; in 1968, served as chief pilot instructor for the TC-4C Academy, a radar training platform for A-6 B/Ns. Obtained FAA Multi-Engine Land Rating and G-159 Type Rating.

In December, 1968, ordered to VA-176. Transitioned squadron from A-1s to A-6s. In July, 1969, ordered to the Naval War College to attend Command and Staff Course. At night, completed requirements for Bachelor\"™s Degree (Political Science) at University of Rhode Island (received degree in February, 1971). Promoted to Commander, USN.

In September, 1970, ordered to staff, Commander Naval Air Force, US Pacific Fleet, located in San Diego. Served for nine months as staff training officer for A-6s.

Deployed with VA-52 in January, 1972, aboard USS Kitty Hawk to S E Asia (Vietnam). Assumed command of VA-52 on 3 October, 1972. Completed last combat flight on 2 November, 1972.

Reported to USS Coral Sea as OPS officer in January, 1974. Deployed aboard Coral Sea in January, 1975, to S E Asia area of operations. Participated in the evacuation of US Nationals from Saigon in a April, 1975. Participated in the repatriation of the SS Mayaguez in May, 1975.

Ordered to the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon in October, 1975. Served as action officer in Far East, South Asia Division on the Politico/Military Affairs Directorate, J-5. Promoted to Captain, USN.  

Ordered to USS Cleveland (LPD-7), home ported in San Diego, CA in May, 1978, via Senior Officers Ship Material Readiness Course in Idaho Falls, ID. Assumed command of USS Cleveland on December 18, 1978. Deployed to S E Asia area of operations in January, 1980. Returned from deployment in July 1980; relinquished command of Cleveland on July 18, 1980.

Proceeded to the Pentagon in October, 1980, for duty in the office of the chief of Naval Operations. Served as deputy/chief of staff to five different flag officers in two different Navy directorates. Retired from active duty on 1 July, 1986, after more than 31 years of naval service and moved to Lynchburg, VA in June, 1994.

Summary of Military Awards/Aviation activities: Total flight time\"¦5000hrs\"¦800 civilian/4200 military. Awarded Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross (7); Defense meritorious Service Medal: Air Medal (18); Navy Commendation Medal (4); Navy Unit Commendation (2); various other unit, campaign, and service medals. A-6\"¦2000 hrs; A-4\"¦1000 hrs; TC-4C\"¦385 hrs (314 A/C); A-1\"¦286 hrs; 659 total CV ldgs (486D/173N).

Herb was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Judith Ann Strong.

In addition to his mother, Herb is survived by his three children; Catherine K. Konoza and her husband, John of Warrenton, VA, Karen A. Davidson and her husband, Kevin of Duluth, GA and Olin M. Kinney and his wife, Ngoc of Triangle, VA; six grandchildren; Christie M. Konoza and Emily M. Konoza both of Warrenton, VA, Steven T. Davidson and Jessica L. Davidson both of Duluth, GA and Isabel Kinney and Jake Kinney both of Triangle, VA.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the 

The Military Aviation Museum

https://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/about/donations

 

Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola Florida https://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/GetInvolved/Giving

 

Smithsonian Air & Space Museum

www.si.edu/giving.

A celebration of Herb\"™s life will be conducted at 11 AM, Saturday, October 8, 2011 at Tharp Funeral Chapel, Lynchburg. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 8, 2011, prior to the service. Burial will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on December 27, 2011, in Arlington National Cemetery.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.