Eugene W. O'Neill Jr.
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Eugene W. O'Neill Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname | "Gene" |
| Born | February 10, 1919 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | August 30, 1998 (aged 79) |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1964 |
| Rank | .svg){kind=small} Colonel |
| Unit | 62nd Fighter Squadron 56th Fighter Group |
| Commands | 7135th School Group 7366th Combat Support Group 19th Combat Support Group |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Air Medal (4) |
Eugene Walter O'Neill Jr. (February 10, 1919 – August 30, 1998) was a United States Air Force colonel and a flying ace, who was credited in destroying 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II.
O'Neill was born on February 10, 1919, in Jersey City, New Jersey.[1]
Military career
On April 25, 1941, he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the United States Army Air Corps. He was awarded his pilot wings and commissioned as a second lieutenant at Victoria Field in Texas on December 12, just five days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.[1]
World War II
Following the completion of flight training, he was assigned to the 62nd Pursuit Squadron of the 56th Pursuit Group. The unit later was renamed to the 62nd Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group and was equipped with the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. He was deployed with the group to England in January 1943 and arrived at RAF Kings Cliffe in January 1943. Flying the P-47, he shot down his first enemy aircraft in aerial combat on November 11 and on November 26, he shot down two rocket-carrying Messerschmitt Bf 110s that was attempting to attack a formation of American bombers returning from a mission over Germany. He shot down his fourth enemy aircraft on December 20 and became a flying ace on February 6, 1944, after shooting down his fifth enemy aircraft.[2][3][4]
During World War II, O'Neill flew 83 combat missions and was credited with the destruction of five enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After his return to the United States in April 1944, he was assigned to the First Air Force as a staff officer and later at the Pentagon.[1]
Post war
After the end of World War II, O'Neill left active duty and joined the United States Air Force Reserve in 1947. After being recalled to active duty on January 10, 1951, he attended the Air Command and Staff School and Army Language School, and then served as a Tactical Advisor to the Peruvian Air Force from August 1952 to April 1956. After the completion of this assignment, O'Neill served as commander of Air Force support units based in Lindsey Air Station in West Germany, Chaumont Air Base in France and Homestead Air Force Base in Florida from June 1961 till his retirement from the Air Force on December 31, 1964. During his military career, he accumulated over 4,000 flying hours.[1]
