World War II Honoree

Edward T. O'Connell, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Birmingham, Alabama

Honored By

James R. Vann III

Relationship

Friend

COMMISSIONED AND RATED AS PILOT ON FEBRUARY 16, 1943 FROM CLASS 43-B. LATER SERVED AS A PACIFIC THEATER P-47 FIGHTER PILOT WITH THE 11TH AIR FORCE, 507TH FIGHTER GROUP, 465TH FIGHTER SQUADRON. OPERATING FROM THE ISLAND OF IE SHIMA THE 465TH FIGHTER SQUADRON WAS IN COMBAT OPERATIONS AGAINST JAPANESE FORCES FROM JUNE 27, 1945 UNTIL THE END OF THE WAR ON AUGUST 15, 1945. LEFT THE ARMY AIR FORCES WITH THE RANK OF MAJOR.