Ralph Ambrose O'Neill
Encyclopedia
Ralph Ambrose O'Neill was a flying ace
from World War I credited with five aerial victories.
He entered the United States Air Service in August 1917. In March 1918, he was assigned to the 147th Aero Squadron, flying the Nieuport 28
and the SPAD S.XIII
. From 2 July to 10 October 1918, teaming with such squadronmates as Kenneth Porter
, James Meissner
, Francis Simonds
, and James Healy
, he shot down five German airplanes. He won a DSC with two Oak Leaf Clusters, a Bronze Star, and the Croix de Guerre in the process.
After the war he returned to the United States
, and left the U.S. Air Service on February 19, 1919.
On August 1920 he signed up a five-year contract to set up a functional Mexican Air Force
and train Mexican pilots, as Mexico was undergoing numerous rebellions and coups. In 1923, he flew several combat missions against Adolfo de la Huerta
's rebellion. He left Mexico
in December 1925 with the rank of General, and began a career in civil aviation. He founded the New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line
, flying the first airmail from Argentina to Miami in a Sikorsky S-38
.
(DSC)
For extraordinary heroism in action near Château Thierry, France, 2 July 1918, Lt. O'Neill and four other pilots attacked twelve enemy battle planes. In a violent battle within the enemy's lines, they brought down three German planes, one of which was credited to Lt. O'Neill." DSC citation.
1 02/Jul/1918 1730 147th Nieuport 28 Fokker D.VII 1 Château Thierry
2 05/Jul/1918 0930 147th Nieuport 28 Pfalz D.III 2 Château Thierry
3 24/Jul/1918 1735 147th Nieuport 28 Fokker D.VII 3 Bois de Eere
4 24/Jul/1918 1735 147th Nieuport 28 Fokker D.VII 3 Bois de Eere
5 10/Oct/1918 1615 147th SPAD XIII (S4625) Rumpler C 4 Bantheville
Notes:
1 Shared with Lt TC Bronson, Lt CW McDermott, Lt MO Parry, Lt Kenneth Porter, Lt JH Stevens
2 Shared with Lt Francis Simonds
3 Shared with Lt TJ Abernathy, Lt James Healy, Lt AH Jones, Lt CP Porter
4 Shared with Lt James Meissner, Lt GC Waters
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
from World War I credited with five aerial victories.
He entered the United States Air Service in August 1917. In March 1918, he was assigned to the 147th Aero Squadron, flying the Nieuport 28
Nieuport 28
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Cheesman E.F. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Letchworth, UK: Harleyford Publications, 1960, pp. 98–99....
and the SPAD S.XIII
SPAD S.XIII
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, J.M. The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps . London: Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30084-X.* Sharpe, Michael. Biplanes, Triplanes, and Seaplanes. London: Friedman/Fairfax Books, 2000. ISBN 1-58663-300-7....
. From 2 July to 10 October 1918, teaming with such squadronmates as Kenneth Porter
Kenneth Porter (aviator)
Lieutenant Kenneth Lee Porter was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-World War I service:Porter was an engineering graduate from Michigan University who joined the U.S. Army Air Service in August 1917. He reported to the 147th Aero Squadron in February 1918...
, James Meissner
James Meissner
Major James Armand Meissner was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories and awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses.-Early life and service:...
, Francis Simonds
Francis Simonds
Lieutenant Francis May Simonds was an American World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.Simonds was assigned to the 147th Aero Squadron on 23 February 1918. He won his five aerial victories from July through October 1918.-References:...
, and James Healy
James Healy (aviator)
Lieutenant James Andrew Healy was a World War I flying ace credited with five victories. He stayed in service, and became technical advisor for the movie Wings. After a retirement for disability, he returned to service during World War II....
, he shot down five German airplanes. He won a DSC with two Oak Leaf Clusters, a Bronze Star, and the Croix de Guerre in the process.
After the war he returned to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and left the U.S. Air Service on February 19, 1919.
On August 1920 he signed up a five-year contract to set up a functional Mexican Air Force
Mexican Air Force
The Mexican Air Force is the aviation branch of the Mexican Army and depends on the National Defense Secretariat . Since 2008, its commander is Gen...
and train Mexican pilots, as Mexico was undergoing numerous rebellions and coups. In 1923, he flew several combat missions against Adolfo de la Huerta
Adolfo de la Huerta
Felipe Adolfo de la Huerta Marcor was a Mexican politician and interim President of Mexico from June 1 to December 1, 1920....
's rebellion. He left Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in December 1925 with the rank of General, and began a career in civil aviation. He founded the New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line
New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line
New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line was an airline that operated seaplane service from New York City to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and intermediate points on the east coast of South America during the 1920s. It was forced to merge into its competitor, Pan American World Airways, in 1930.NYRBA...
, flying the first airmail from Argentina to Miami in a Sikorsky S-38
Sikorsky S-38
-See also:...
.
Military Awards
Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
(DSC)
For extraordinary heroism in action near Château Thierry, France, 2 July 1918, Lt. O'Neill and four other pilots attacked twelve enemy battle planes. In a violent battle within the enemy's lines, they brought down three German planes, one of which was credited to Lt. O'Neill." DSC citation.
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location1 02/Jul/1918 1730 147th Nieuport 28 Fokker D.VII 1 Château Thierry
2 05/Jul/1918 0930 147th Nieuport 28 Pfalz D.III 2 Château Thierry
3 24/Jul/1918 1735 147th Nieuport 28 Fokker D.VII 3 Bois de Eere
4 24/Jul/1918 1735 147th Nieuport 28 Fokker D.VII 3 Bois de Eere
5 10/Oct/1918 1615 147th SPAD XIII (S4625) Rumpler C 4 Bantheville
Notes:
1 Shared with Lt TC Bronson, Lt CW McDermott, Lt MO Parry, Lt Kenneth Porter, Lt JH Stevens
2 Shared with Lt Francis Simonds
3 Shared with Lt TJ Abernathy, Lt James Healy, Lt AH Jones, Lt CP Porter
4 Shared with Lt James Meissner, Lt GC Waters