I have always been interested in World War II, especially the Pacific, because that is where my Dad flew. I had heard the stories about his combat exploits since I was little. As I got older, I found out more: that he was an ace; that he flew wing for Richard Bong, Amerca's top ace in World War II. Since I was about 10, I have read just about everything I could get on the Pacific conflict. These days, I am an editor at The Miami Herald. I also have a private pilot's license and am a fairly experienced video and film editor.

Early Life
John O'Neill was born and raised in Gasport, NY, a little town just north of Buffalo. He grew up on a farm and the family raised chickens, cherries. After graduating high school in 1939, he learned to fly as a teenager, and became a licensed pilot. I am told the flying bug bit him early, and he signed up for the Army Air Corps as soon as he could.

Training
He trained at Moore Field, Texas. Them stationed at Hamilton Field, where he befriended Richard Bong. (I believe this is a true story) he was nearly court-martialed (along with Dick Bong) for flying under the Golden Gate Bridge in a P-38. Instead, they shipped them off to New Guinea.

Combat Pilot
He served from April 30, 1942 - September 17, 1945. He arrived in Australia on September 5, 1942, and became a flight leader. I have talked to men who flew with him, and they have told me he was a helluva pilot, who had no fear. They told that Bong had to get in very close to shoot, and that my dad was tucked right in there with him. One guy i talked to (i found him thru the 49FS website) told me about the mission on October 24, 1943

Nickname 'Jump'
Nicknamed 'Jump' as he was expert in jumping the enemy and shooting them down, and avoiding their return fire.

Double Victory Over Rabaul
Flying in his P-38F "Beautiful Lass" Tail Number 99 he scored a total of eight victories over Rabaul and New Guinea area. O'Neill was the first 'ace' from New York State in World War II.

O'Neill scored his fifth and six 'kills' on October 24, 1943. While leading Green Flight to Rabaul, he a two others dove from 6,000' down onto three Zeros at 3,000'. He made several ineffective passes at one, finally shooting the entire tail off a Zero at a 45 degree deflection. Minutes later, he put another burst into a second Zero, causing it to fly straight and crash into a hill. Between October 15 - 29th (14 days) he scored six kills.

O'Neill Victories
March 4, 1943 - 1 victory
March 28, 1943 - 1 victory (scored on his 22nd birthday)
October 15, 1943 - 1 victory
October 17, 1943 - 1 victory
October 24, 1943 - 2 victories
October 29, 1943 - 2 victories

End of the War
In 1945, Richard Bong and O'Neill visited his home in New York State incognito to avoid hoopla. He ended the war with a Distinguished Flying Cross with two clusters, Silver Star, Air Medal with cluster and other metals.

Post War
After the war, he started the firs crop dusting service in Niagara County in 1946, which he ran for a while. He married my mother (also a pilot) and moved to Miami, where me and my sister were born. What snippets I do remember of him always revolved around flying. It was a common theme in the house, and I heard flying terms from the time I was born. I got my pilot's license when I was 20 - it seemed almost a natural thing to do.

He died from leukemia when i was 6 in 1966, so most of my knowledge of him comes from others, but they all seemed to think he was this larger than life kind of character. He had a brother, Paul, and a sister Frances, both still living.

Newspaper Articles
Completes Flight Training 1942
O'Neill Bags Zero On His Birthday 1942
Gasport Flier Gets 3rd Award 1943
'Jump' O'Neill Returns Home 1945
Hartland Hero Recalled on Veteran's Day November 10, 1989

References
P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI, by John Stanaway