Sunday
May242009
Navy Man
When my Grandfather was barely 16, he ran off, lied about his age and joined the Navy. He served on the USS Nevada in World War I and also served in WW II. I discovered a delicate, leather scrap book filled with photos he took during his service on the Neveda. A "eurika" moment for me... my Grandfather had a very good eye and I see now where my own might have come from. I especially love the composition of the sailors portrait above. 
My Grandfather circa WW IIHere is a funny story that happened when my Mother visited me a few years ago. So as we leaving the theater, after seeing The Hoax my Mom turns to me and says casually, "Well you know your Grandfather taught Howard Hughes how to fly?""Ah , no!" I said, completely shocked.
"Oh, yes and he sold him his first plane."
"Ah NO!" I said, even more shocked...
"Oh, sure, they were very good friends. He was one of the few people that could always call Hughes directly..."
Apparently, my Grandfather, back in the days after he left the Navy, had his own little flying/airline company right next to the a guy named Donald Douglas at Rogers Airport in Los Angeles. As luck would have it, they went under during the depression, so I guess I was just a smidge away from being a airline heiress! When Howard Hughes was a very young man, he walked into my Grandfather's flying "shop" one day and signed up for lessons. My Grandfather with his partner even built there own planes! So not only did they build and sell Hughes his first plane, they also stored it for years after.
My Mom was sure she must have mentioned these little tidbits of family trivia to me before but I am pretty sure I would remember if she had. That is kind of a major discovery in our little history. She also told me that they developed a friendship that lasted up until his death and my Grandfather was one of a select few, to have his direct number.
Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 11:04PM
Reader Comments (7)
That is a fantastic story! Imagine! Wouldn't you love to chat to your grandfather. I remember these photos. Yes, he was quite an artist in his own right. I love the juxtaposition of the top two pictures together.
That is incredible! I'm so glad you found all this out, family history is the most wonderfully fascinating topic.
My bf will love this, he has major love for Howard, even a flickr community that he made:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/848865@N23/
Fantastic story Lara! You think that mom would have shared that with you years ago...lol.
That is a great story! How nice for you to have his book.
On a side note, you were just at Wynn & Encore-they sit on the site that used to be the Desert Inn & Howard Hughes owned the DI. Kinda cool.......
That is interesting, thanks for the info. I really hate that all the old hotels are being torn down.
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