Colonel John C. O’Donnell
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and U.S. Air Force (USAF)

Background
John C O'Donnell was born June 8, 1919 to parents Edward R O'Donnell Jr. and Frances V Frisbee O'Donnell in Oakland, Maryland. He attended law school at the University of Maryland. As a college student, he learned to fly under the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at College Park and got a private pilot license in 1940, the same day he enlisted in the military.

Wartime History
O'Donnell joined the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as an aviation cadet and was sent to St. Louis then Randolph Field and earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Assigned to the 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG), 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (18th RS). Promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

In April 1942, assigned B-26 "Goosie Lucy" 40-1405 nicknamed by O'Donnell after his girlfriend named Lucy. The O'Donnell crew included co-pilot 2nd Lt. Leslie O. Skipper, bombardier 2nd Lt. Roy L. Callaway, navigator 2nd Lt. Charles J. Lyness, engineer SSgt Royal K. Bradford, radio TSgt James R. Brooks and tail gunner Cpl Ivan W. Henderson.

On April 15, 1942 took off piloting B-26 "Goosie Lucy" 40-1405 a one of three B-26 Marauders of "B" Flight with Lt. Ralph Michaelis and Lt John Augustine on a ferry flight bound for Palmyra Airfield on the first leg across the Pacific bound for Australia but as they reached the point of no return were recalled due to severe weather. On April 18, 1942 the same three B-26s departed again flying via Palmyra Airfield to Nadi Airfield where B-26 pilot Lt. Michaelis had engine problems and remained for repairs while the two others proceed to Brisbane.

On April 22, 1942 the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron was redesignated 408th Bombardment Squadron (Medium).

On May 7, 1942 flew one of ten B-26 pilots that flew via Garbutt Field northward to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby and was one of only three bombers that managed to arrive during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

On May 8, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome piloting one of three B-26 armed with bombs from 408th BS with Captain Ellis and Lt. Michaelis on a mission to locate the Japanese fleet off eastern New Guinea. The formation spotted a large group of vessels but they dispersed and returned anti-aircraft fire as the B-26s climbed to bombing formation and saw other unidentified aircraft about to attack and decided to abort their bombing run and continue the search mission. In fact, the vessels were Allied cruisers about to be attacked by Japanese planes.

On May 20, 1942 took off from Reid River Airfield piloting B-26 "Goosie Lucy" 40-1405 on a test flight and due to mechanical issues made a belly landing and was written off. Next, assigned B-26 "Calamity Charlie" 40-1436.

On May 27, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome piloting B-26 Marauder 40-1522 on a bombing mission against Lae Airfield but aborted due to bad weather.

On May 28, 1942 at 6:30am took off from 7 Mile Drome piloting B-26 Marauder 40-1522 one of five B-26 on a bombing mission against Lae Airfield. Over the target at 3,500' they bombed parked planes and saw A6M2 Zeros taking off and were targeted by anti-aircraft fire. Intercepted by A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) including FPO1c Saburo Sakai. After dropping their bombs, B-26 Marauder 40-1467 was shot down. As O'Donnell's bomber pulled away over Huon Gulf, it was hit by gunfire from a Zero including a cannon shell that hit the right engine and required the propeller to be feathered. Machine gun fire wounded gunner/photographer Sgt Allen R. Durborow, Jr. in the ankle. Another bullet missed Sgt Harry Berg who claimed a Zero shot down (in fact none were lost). Tail gunner Pvt. Ivan W. Henderson pretended his guns were jammed then opened fire whenever Zeros approached and observed them diving away and claimed several shot down (in fact, none were lost) and for his actions later earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Unable to climb, O'Donnell flew around the eastern coast of New Guinea and landed safely as the last bomber to return.

Afterwards, promoted to the rank of Captain.

On November 18, 1942 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) piloting B-26 Marauder 40-1522 on a mission against a Japanese convoy approaching Buna.

On November 26, 1942 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) piloting B-26 "Strike" 40-1427 on a bombing mission against Buna.

On November 27, 1942 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) piloting B-26 "Calamity Charlie" 40-1436. on a bombing mission against Buna.

On January 5, 1943 took off as on of three B-26s on a bombing mission against Lae. Although canceled after take off, the B-26s could not be reached and bombed experienced light anti-aircraft fire over the target.

On January 7, 1943 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) piloting B-26 "Rose of San Antone" 40-1552 as one of three B-26s on a bombing mission against a Japanese convoy bound for Lae.

On January 8, 1943 at 1:00pm took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) piloting B-26 "Rose of San Antone" 40-1552 on a bombing mission against a Japanese convoy off Lae and bombed four vessels off Lae Airfield and calimed a probable hit on a moving ship and Brazil Maru was slightly damaged.

Afterwards, he returned to the United States and served as a flight instructor. Later, he returned to the Pacific and participated in a second tour of duty in the Pacific and continued to fly combat missions including a bombing mission over Beppu on Kyushu in Japan.

Postwar
On December 24, 1946 he married Colleen Elizabeth O'Donnell of Washington D.C. who was a stewardess for Capital Airlines. On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and served as a wing commander in Turkey and was promoted to the rank of Colonel. His last posting was at Dobbins AFB. In 1970, he retired and resided in Marietta, Georgia. During 1974, he, his wife and son traveled to Tokyo with his son and met Saburo Sakai and his wife and daughter. Sakai was one of the Zero pilots who intercepted his formation of B-26s on May 28, 1942.

Memorials
O'Donnell passed away November 2019 at age 100. He is buried at Kennesaw Memorial Park in Marietta, GA.

Relatives
Colleen E O'Donnell (wife passed away 2008)
John C. O'Donnell (son)

References
Revenge of the Red Raiders: The Illustrated History of the 22nd Bombardment Group During World War II (2006) pages 51 (April 1942 ferry flight), 89 (May 7-8, 1942), 99-100 (May 28, 1942), 147 (O'Donnell crew photo), 165 (January 5, 1943), 169 (January 8. 1943), 173 (group photo Sydney), 178 (group photo), 504 (18th RS/408th BS 40-1405, 40-1436), 549 (November 27, 1942), 553 (November 26, 1942) 534 (Jan 7, 1943), 559 (Nov 18, 1942), 601 (408th BS roster), 617 (index O’Donnell)
FindAGrave - Colleen E O'Donnell (obituary, photo)
FindAGrave - COL John C O'Donnell (grave photo)

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