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Steven Loomis (USAAF & USAF)-Family
to remember
Loomis, Kenneth B., Sgt.
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Contact Info
Home Town Tustin
Last Address Cadillac, Michigan
Date of Passing Sep 01, 2006
Location of Interment Mount Carmel Cemetery - Cadillac, Michigan
World War II Battle Streamers American and Asiatic-Pacific Theaters
1941-1945
Kenneth B. "Ken" Loomis of Cadillac, Michigan entered eternal life on Friday, September 1, 2006 at Cadillac Mercy Hospital. He was 90 years old.
Ken was born on April 19, 1916 in Tustin to Harry and Emma Grayce (Burkett) Loomis. He married Katherin A. Kailing on January 18, 1941. She preceded him in death on September 13, 1999.
Ken graduated from Tustin High School in 1936. He worked at General Motors in Pontiac for five years.
During World War II, Ken enlisted on 7 April 1942 at Fort Custer, Michigan. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps for three and a half years, primarily with the 5th Air Force in the Pacific Theater. He was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri (Army AF Basic Training); Mitchell Field, Long Island, New York (AAF Training Command, 1st Air Force); Westover Field, Massachusetts (25th Army Air Force Base Unit, 1st Air Force); Grenier Field, New Hampshire (1st Air Force). He was trained and an airplane engine mechanic.
In the South Pacific with the 5th Air Force, he was one of the many who engaged the Japanese in New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, and as part of the liberating forces in the Philippines Campaign (1944–45).
After the service, he was employed at Chris Craft Company in Cadillac as a pattern maker for 26 years. He later worked with his twin brother as a carpenter for 10 years until retiring.
Ken was a charter member and an organizer, with Reg Boulder, of the Cadillac AMVETS Post No. 110. He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church where he was an usher and money counter. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was interred in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan.
Notes:
Kenneth B. Loomis, 1916 - 2006.
Wife, Katherine Agnes Kailing, 1921 - 1999.
Son, Philip, 1944 - 1995, U.S. Navy Vietnam.
Other Comments:
Fifth Air Force
It is one of very few numbered air forces of the United States Air Force never to have been based in the United States itself. It is also one of the oldest and continuously active US air forces.
Established on 16 August 1941 as the Philippine Department Air Force at Nichols Field, Luzon, Philippines. 5 AF was a United States Army Air Forces combat air force in the Pacific Theater of World War II, engaging in combat operations primarily in the Southwest Pacific AOR. 5 AF units first engaged the Japanese during the Philippines Campaign (1941–1942), then afterward withdrawing to Australia after the Japanese conquest of the islands. Rearmed, it engaged the Japanese in New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies and then as part of the liberating forces in the Philippines Campaign (1944–45).
26 years with Chris-Craft, America's Oldest Power Boat Builder
Date
Not Specified
Last Updated: Apr 15, 2011
Comments
Chris-Craft Industries, Inc. was a privately held American corporation. Its forebear was founded in the late 19th century by Christopher Columbus Smith, and became famous for mahogany hulled powerboats in the 1920s through the 1950s.
During World War II, the company produced small patrol boats and launches for the U.S. Army, Navy and Coast Guard. By 1942 Chris-Craft was quickly transitioning production to the war effort. Just after the 1942 product line was solidified and introduced in the last quarter of 1941, America entered WW II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th. Pleasure craft were "out" and landing craft were "in" until 1945 when production was turned backed to manufacturing models for the 1946 fleet. In fact they are the only boatwrights who's boats were used during D Day in WWII.
While Ken Loomis fought in the Pacific, as a member of the 5th Air Corp, his twin brother, Stan, stayed at the Chris Craft plant in Cadillac, Michigan. Stan was responsible for reporting to the FBI during the war and stayed on with the company into the mid '50's. Ken also returned to Chris Craft and worked there for another twenty five years. He retired just before the first of the fiberglass boats were built by Chris Craft Industries.
