Curt Synness
For the Independent Record
Navy veteran Jeff Kindrick made two WESTPAC cruises with Attack Squadron VA-97 and Carrier Air Wing CVW 14 aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, from 1971-72 and 1972-73. These stints included a record-setting 63 days at sea.
When the Air Wing 14 squadrons flew the last combat sorties of the Vietnam War, on January 27, 1973, Kindrick was serving at CVW-14 Beach Detachment, Naval Air Station at Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Philippines.
A well-known Helena name, Kindrick Legion Field is named in honor of Jeffâs late father, WWII veteran and longtime Senators baseball advocate Ace Kindrick.
After graduating from Helena High in 1969, Kindrick followed in his Dadâs footsteps and enlisted in the U.S. Navy that August. On December 15, along with his buddy Greg Hoffer, he flew down to San Diegoâs Recruit Training Center.