Lloyd Pierre La Plant, 95; Ex-Grossmont Vice Principal and Pearl Harbor Survivor

U.S. Navy pilot Lloyd Pierre La Plant was home in Waikiki Beach the morning of  Dec. 7, 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.  He immediately sprung into action, helping to piece aircraft together to patrol for the enemy. 

According to his family, La Plant never discussed that day in detail, except to say that he lost many friends.

La Plant died June 3.  He was 95.

In addition to other military career highlights such as flying mail for President Franklin D. Roosevelt (which earned him a commendation), La Plant earned at least 14 medals and ribbons before retiring from the Navy as a captain in 1956.  His many travels took him across the country, but he eventually settled in the La Mesa and El Cajon area, teaching math and aeronautics at Grossmont High School and also serving as vice principal.

For fun, he and his second wife, Sandra, took his little two-seater plane to the Bahamas, Warner Springs and elsewhere, and he later won a gold medal in the Senior Olympics for tennis.

A service with full military honors was held June 23 for La Plant at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Much more information about La Plant is available on his announcement.

Other La Mesans in memoriam:

Also a World War II veteran, lived in La Mesa for almost 30 years.