John B. McKinny Dies at 89; Decorated Navy Aviator and Longtime Coronadan

John B. McKinny of Coronado—who won the Navy Cross for heroism in World War II and later took part in the Berlin Airlift—died Oct. 21, according to an obituary in U-T San Diego.

He was 89.

“As a pilot of Torpedo Squadron 13 … attached to the USS Franklin he sailed to the Pacific Theater via North Island,” his obituary said. “During his brief stay-over, John knew he wanted to make Coronado his home.”

In 1947, he met his future wife, Helen, in Honolulu, the paper said.

“They married in 1950 and made Coronado their home. They raised three children, Linda, John and Tom. In 1964, John and Helen founded the Royal Order of the Swans, a social club whose members were all Naval Officers and wives,” the obituary said.

He died on what would have been his 62nd wedding anniversary.

A memorial service was set for 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29, at the First United Methodist Church, 2111 Camino Del Rio S.