Emmett O'Donnell Jr.
Emmett O'Donnell Jr. | |
---|---|
Brooklyn, New York, US | |
Died | December 26, 1971 Washington, D.C., US[1] | (aged 65)
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1928–1963 |
Rank | General |
Commands held | Pacific Air Forces 15th Air Force |
Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (4) Air Medal (2) |
Biography
Early career
O'Donnell was born in
Appointed a second lieutenant of Infantry, he received flying training at
O'Donnell became a captain April 20, 1935. In December, 1936, Captain O'Donnell was assigned to the 18th Reconnaissance Group at
O'Donnell became a major in January 1941. As Japanese designs in Southeast Asia became apparent in the fall of 1941, the Army Air Forces sent air reinforcements to General Douglas MacArthur. Major O'Donnell and his 14th Bombardment Squadron set out from
September 5. A week later all nine of the B-17s landed at Clark Field, Manila. This was the first mass flight of land planes to cross the western Pacific from Hawaii to the Philippines.World War II
After Pearl Harbor, O'Donnell's group fought in the air and later with the Infantry until they were forced to withdraw to Bataan and then to Mindanao. Major O'Donnell and some of his group later moved to Java. Before the war in the Pacific was two days old, O'Donnell had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. He left Clark Field during an enemy attack and flew to Vigan where he attacked a heavy cruiser and its destroyer escort. Due to faulty bomb releases he made five runs over the target, evading anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters.
From January 1942, when he arrived in Java, until the beginning of March, when the Japanese conquered the island, he served as operations officer of the Far East Air Force. He then evacuated to India, where he became assistant chief of staff for operations of the newly organized Tenth Air Force. O'Donnell became a lieutenant colonel in January 1942 and a colonel the following March.
He returned home in 1943 as chief of General Arnold's Advisory Council, a post he retained until he was appointed commanding general of the
Post-war
O'Donnell piloted one of three specially modified B-29s flying from Japan to the U.S. in September 1945, in the process breaking several aviation records at that date, including the greatest USAAF takeoff weight, the longest USAAF nonstop flight, and the first ever USAAF nonstop Japan–U.S. flight. The aircraft, all piloted by generals, used up too much fuel fighting unexpected headwinds, and they could not fly to Washington, D.C., the original goal.[4] They decided to land at Chicago and refuel, then continue to Washington, where they all received Distinguished Flying Crosses.[5]
After the war O'Donnell was assigned to the
In September 1947, after the U.S. Air Force headquarters was established, he was designated deputy director of public relations. In January 1948 he was appointed steering and coordinating member of the military representation on the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, Canada-United States; the Canada-United States Military Cooperation Committee; the Joint Mexico-United States Defense Commission; and the Joint Brazil-United States Defense Commission.
Korean War
O'Donnell became commanding general of the
As North Korean troops moved steadily down Korea, outnumbered American troops retreated south. General
Retirement
O'Donnell returned to the United States in January 1951. O'Donnell was unanimously elected Commissioner of baseball on August 21, 1951, to succeed
Awards
His awards include:[3]
Command Pilot
| |||||||||||
Distinguished Service Cross Cross | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
| ||||||||||
Army Distinguished Service Medal
|
Silver Star | Legion of Merit | |||||||||
Distinguished Flying Cross with three bronze oak leaf clusters |
Air Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with bronze oak leaf cluster | |||||||||
American Defense Service Medal with bronze service star |
American Campaign Medal | campaign stars
| |||||||||
World War II Victory Medal | National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star |
Korean Service Medal with bronze campaign star | |||||||||
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters |
Honorary Companion of the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (United Kingdom) |
Taeguk Order of Military Merit with silver star (South Korea) | |||||||||
Philippine Defense Medal | Philippine Independence Medal | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
| |||||||||
United Nations Korea Medal
|
Republic of Korea War Service Medal[N 1] | Inter-American Defense Board Medal |
Distinguished Service Cross citation
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force) to Major General Emmett O'Donnell, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding General, Bomber Command, Far East Air Forces (Provisional), in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea from 13 July to 16 September 1950, during three important combat missions over enemy targets. On 13 July 1950, General O'Donnell led and directed the strike of fifty-two aircraft which dropped four hundred and forty-nine tons of explosives on railroad yards and shop installations at Wonsan, resulting in the complete destruction of railroad repair facilities in that area. On 16 August 1950, he led and directed ninety-eight aircraft in a maximum effort strike during which eight hundred and forty-six tons of explosives were dropped on reported enemy materiel and troop concentrations in the Waegwan area, breaking up enemy preparations for an attack in that sector. On 16 September 1950, General O'Donnell led and directed an eighty aircraft strike which dropped six hundred tons of bombs on targets in the Pyongyang area, causing extensive damage to oil refineries, warehouses, and a steam power plant. During these strikes, his aircraft was subject to attack by enemy aircraft and ground anti-aircraft fire, and he was in danger of death or capture by the enemy. His exemplary action in constantly risking his life while personally leading his flight, although in a position where such duty was not required of him, was a source of inspiration for other members of his command, reflecting great credit on himself and the military service..[7]
References
Notes
Citations
- ^ "Eugene Register-Guard - Google News Archive Search".
- ^ "Biographies: General Emmett O'Donnell Jr". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
- ^ a b "Biography of Emmett O'Donnell Jr". Air Force Historical Research Agency. c. 1954. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ISBN 0-938021-28-1.
- ^ Potts, J. Ivan Jr. "The Japan to Washington Flight: September 18–19, 1945" (PDF). 40thbombgroup.org. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ "Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal". Air Force Personnel Center. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ "Valor awards for Emmett O'Donnell Jr". Military Times. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force