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O'Connor, Edward

    Date of birth:
    1923 (Kendall, Westmoreland)
    Service number:
    1098816 (NCO)/174075 (Officer)
    Nationality:
    British (1801-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    Edward O'Connor was educated at Senior Boys School, Kendal. O'Connor served as a Pilot with 405 (Vancouver) Squadron (Halifaxes and Lancasters), R.C.A.F., Gransden Lodge, Bedfordshire, as part of 8 Group Path Finder Force from August 1943; he flew in at least 56 operational sorties with the squadron over two operational tours including: Nuremburg; Munchen Gladbach; Mannheim (2); Hanover (2); Kassel (2); Cannes; Leverkusen; Berlin (3); Stuttgart; Frankfurt (2); Essen; Montzen; Montdidier; Mantes Gassicourt; Boulogne; Mont Couple; Le Mans; Rennes (2); Dunkerque; Toures; Cambrai; Lens; Renescure; Oisemont-Neuvelle-au-Bois (3); Metz; Caen; Paris; Russelheim (2); Stettin (2); Bremen; Kiel (2); Calais; Saarbrucken; Dortmund and Duisburg; commissioned Flying Officer, 3.10.1944.

    Promotions:
    ? Sergeant
    3 April, 1944: Pilot Officer on Probation (emergency)
    3 October, 1944: Flying Officer
    3 April, 1946: Flight Lieutenant (War sub)

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Flying Officer
    Unit:
    No. 405 (Vancouver) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
    Awarded on:
    October 13th, 1944
    Recommendation:
    "This Officer is a very capable and determined Captain. Most of the sorties in which he has participated have been against heavily defended enemy targets. On many occasions he and his crew have been in great personal danger, having been attacked by enemy fighters and shot up by enemy anti-aircraft fire, but by skilful handling of his aircraft and superb leadership, this Officer has brought his aircraft and crew back safely to friendly territory. The fine example set by this Officer is worthy of high praise."
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 405 (Vancouver) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
    Awarded on:
    January 16th, 1945
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Recommendation:
    "Flight Lieutenant O'Connor is a highly efficient Pilot and Captain of a crew which has now completed two tours of operations. The targets attacked by this Officer include such heavily-defended German cities as Berlin, Kiel and Stuttgart. Throughout his long and varied operational career, this Officer has evinced a keenness for offensive action against the enemy, which has made him stand out amongst his comrades. He is of a quiet, reserved nature, but possesses daring and initiative which are his most outstanding qualities. Undoubtedly, this Officer has done much by his own personal example of devotion to duty, to keep the morale of Aircrew at a high standard."

    Second DFC awarded as a bar.

    Sources

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