Vero News > All News > News > WW II pilot honored at airport ceremony

WW II pilot honored at airport ceremony

Written by: August 18 2017
facebook twitter pinterest linkedin
Ribbon cutting ceremony

VERO BEACH — A late pilot who served in World War II and the Korean War was honored at a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Vero Beach Regional Airport.

The ceremony also honored the airport, which was previously the Vero Beach Naval Air Station during the wars. It began at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the airport lobby, 3400 Cherokee Road, and lasted until about 10:30 a.m.

Lt. John Carney, who moved to Vero Bech in 1962, served as a pilot trainee at the naval air station, according to airport staff. His wife, Ms. Alma Carney, donated her late husband’s original flight gear to the Indian River County Historical Society to be put on display at the ceremony.

Some of that gear included Carney’s hats, suit, pilot mask and pilot suit. Also on display were pictures of John Carney during his service in the wars.

“She knew I could find a place for the artifacts,” said historical society president Carolyn Bayless. Bayless said the airport used to be the Vero Beach Naval Air Station.

VB Airport Documentary from Verola Studio – Photo & Video on Vimeo.

Nearly 100 people were in attendance at the ceremony. Seven people spoke at the event, including Alma Carney, her daughter Deborah Mace Bayless, Airport Director Ericson Menger, Vero Beach Mayor Laura Moss and County Commissioner Tim Zorc.

Moss joined Alma Carney as she cut the ribbon, followed by rounds of applause. Also in attendance were John Carney’s grandson, John Mace, of Vero Beach, and Carney’s nephew, Robert Carney Jr.

John Carney attended nine flight schools, including the one in Vero Beach where he trained from 1944 to 1945.

He received multiple honors including the distinguished flying cross, gold star, bronze star, air medal and navy occupational medal.

 

facebook twitter pinterest linkedin
+100%-

Related Articles

Deputies ID man fatally struck by Brightline

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 25-year-old man who deputies said was wearing headphones when he was struck and killed by a Brightline train on Tuesday, was identified as Bryan De Paz Vazquez. The man lived in Indian River County, said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. "Witnesses said Vazquez was seen going underneath the lowered railroad arm and attempted to run across the tracks," sheriff's officials said in a statement. "There is no indication that this was a suicide and no foul play is suspected." The incident happened at 2:58 p.m. at the 12th Street Railroad crosswalk near the 1200 block of Old Dixie Highway, west of U.S. 1 and east of Old Dixie ...

Man struck, killed by Brightline train at 12th Street crossing

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 25-year-old man was killed after being struck by a Brightline train at the 12th Street Railroad crossing on Tuesday afternoon, sheriff's officials said. This is the third fatal crash involving Brightline and a pedestrian to occur this year in Indian River County. "The train was southbound and the (crossing) arms were down," said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. "According to the witness, all of the (crossing) arms and (flashing red) lights were activated and they could hear the train horn approaching." The most recent incident happened about 2:58 p.m. near the 1200 block of Old Dixie Highway, just west of U.S. 1. and east of Old Dixie Highway, ...

Huge backups on first day of bridge closure

The first two days of the week-long total closure of the 17th Street Bridge went about as expected – with long lines on the alternate route between the island and the mainland of Vero Beach, the Merrill P. Barber Bridge and its approaches. Motorists traveling between the island and the mainland found out that it took them about twice as long as normal to reach their destinations as all traffic that normally takes the 17th Street Bridge, about 20,000 vehicles per day and perhaps more in season – was detoured and rerouted to the Barber bridge. The Vero Beach Police Department warned motorists about delays and said it had officers out on Indian River Boulevard Tuesday to help direct the ...

Comments are closed.