World War II Honoree

Carl U. 'Peg' O'Neill

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Montrose, Colorado

Honored By

Charles & Barbara O'Neill

Relationship

Son & Daughter-in-law

SERVED AS A C-47 PILOT IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS, ASSIGNED TO THE 9TH AIR FORCE, 441ST TROOP CARRIER GROUP, 99TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON. HE WAS THE SQUADRON LEADER OF HIS FORMATION WHEN HIS UNIT DROPPED HIGHLY TRAINED COMMANDOS INTO FRANCE BEHIND ENEMY LINES DURING THE NIGHT OF JUNE 5, 1944 ON THE EVE OF D-DAY, THE NORMANDY INVASION. DURING HIS EUROPEAN COMBAT TOUR, HE LOGGED 1272 FLYING HOURS WHICH INCLUDED 11 COMBAT MISSIONS DROPPING PARATROOPERS AND TOWING GLIDERS IN ADDITION TO TRANSPORTING TROOP, SUPPLIES AND HAULING FUEL TO NORTH AFRICA. HE ENTERED THE SERVICE AS AN ENLISTED MAN AND LATER WAS SELECTED FOR AVIATION FLIGHT TRAINING. AS A CADET HE COMPLETED PRIMARY, BASIC AND ADVANCED FLIGHT TRAINING AT BLACKLAND AIRFIELD WACO, TEXAS. GRADUATED FROM ADVANCED FLIGHT TRAINING ON JULY 29, 1943 RECEIVING HIS COMMISSION WITH THE RANK OF 2ND LIEUTENANT AND HIS PILOT WINGS. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, SOUTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES-ALSACE, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE, ROME-ARNO AND THE BATTLE AT NIJMEGEN BRIDGE. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: AIR MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER SERVICE STAR AND 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND A DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE. ENTERED THE SERVICE ON APRIL 21, 1942 AND HONORABLY DISCHARGED NOVEMBER 23, 1945.