Charles Peter O'Sullivan (July 31, 1915 – September 20, 2013) was a World War II veteran fighter pilot and squadron commander of the 39th Fighter Squadron, Army Air Forces while in New Guinea. He flew the Lockheed P-38 Lightning and was shot down on September 20, 1943, south of Wewak while escorting bombers. He evaded enemy capture in the jungles with just a pistol and a knife and finally rejoined his squadron on October 20, 1943, after 30 days missing in action.[1]
Charles Peter O'Sullivan | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 31, 1915 Eureka, Illinois |
| Died | September 20, 2013 (aged 98) |
| Allegiance | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1968 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 39th Fighter Squadron 308th Strategic Missile Wing |
| Battles / wars | World War II Cold War |
| Awards | Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross |
Early life and education
editO'Sullivan was born July 31, 1915, in Eureka, Illinois. He attended Eureka College and graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in business administration in 1950.[2]
Military career
editHe joined the United States Army on February 12, 1941, as an aviation cadet. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Forces on September 21, 1941, at Brooks Field and was subsequently transferred to Mitchel Air Force Base, New York. During World War II, he flew 178 combat missions with 400 combat hours, shot down five enemy aircraft and became a flying ace.[1] He was stationed at Port Moresby.[3]
He became the first commander of the 308th Strategic Missile Wing of the Strategic Air Command at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, which had oversight of 18 LGM-25C Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile launch sites. His unit was on heightened alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis.[1]
He received the Silver Star, Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1968, he retired as a colonel. In 1998, he was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Wolf, Ron. "Charles Peter O'Sullivan", Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, November 1, 1998, pages 1D and 5D.
- ^ “Colonel Charles P. O’Sullivan”, 39th Fighter Squadron Association website.
- ^ "Captain Charles P. Sullivan", Pacific Wrecks website. Retrieved 11 June 2023.