Veteran celebrating 105th birthday credits "a lot of luck" for his long life

Former Navy Fighter Pilot Eugene Loveland said he feels pretty good. He always feels pretty good. The 105-year-old World War II veteran is living life to the fullest.

"It's a good life and I like people," Gene said with a smile.

Gene was born in Anderson, Indiana, on September 11, 1920. He grew up in both the U.S. and Europe. An only child, his dad worked for General Motors, so Gene got to see the world. Even more so after December 7, 1941.

Gene remembers the day, "We were in the fraternity house and the President came on, I immediately went into the Navy."

Navy Fighter Pilots were in need, so Gene would learn to fly, first bombers, then the F6F Hellcat. Loveland, the Maverick of his squad, was a natural.

"I didn't think much about it, you're giving a job and you do it, I liked it," Gene said.

Loveland would fly missions over the South Pacific and Japan, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for sinking a Japanese Battleship.

He remembers making eye contact with a U.S. Marine on the ground during a battle, as if it were yesterday. Gene said he hit his target on one shot, and then the Marine "looked at me and I looked at him and he said YES!"

After the war, Gene worked as a salesman and executive for Shell Oil. Loveland and his wife, Joan, a former Army Lieutenant, and their five children moved 18 times before settling in Houston in 1972. Gene's family now has 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

For the past 18 years, Gene has enjoyed his later years making others feel welcome. Gene's son Mark said, "What's so special these last few years... he has been such a great influence and inspiration to people he doesn't even know."

We asked Gene what his secret to a long life is.

"I didn't drink and I didn't smoke because I was flying, plus a lot of luck. A lot of luck."

Happy 105th Birthday, Gene!