3. Wing Commander John O’Donnell
Wing Commander RAAF 05806 (406258) John O’Donnell
Saluting their Service - Grahame Old
Introduction
On 3 September 1939 Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies announced the beginning of Australia's involvement in the Second World War on every national and commercial radio station in Australia. Almost a million Australians, both men and women, served in the Second World War. They fought in campaigns against Germany and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, as well as against Japan in south-east Asia and other parts of the Pacific. Only five years after the end of the Second World War, Australia became involved in the Korean War. Personnel from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Australian Regular Army (ARA) were committed soon after the war began and would serve for the next three years in the defence of South Korea. Many servicemen who had fought in WW2 went on to serve in Korea.
Two brothers from Collie were quick to enlist for WW2; one would go on to a career in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) which would include service in Korea. This story looks at the war service of John Joseph O’Donnell another fine son of Ireland, a Collie Boy who gave his all for Australia.
The O’Donnell Brothers
The eldest brother, John was born in Gweedore Ireland in October 1916. Younger brother Peter followed in October 1919, born in Dougal Ireland. The family moved to Australia and settled in Wittenoom St Collie prior to WW2.
War Service
WX19843 Peter James enlisted into the Army for service in February 1942, listing his father Daniel O’Donnell as his next of kin and place of residence as Wittenoom St Collie. He served with the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) throughout the war and was discharged in July 1947. Older brother John Joseph enlisted into the RAAF in October 1940, listing his father as next of kin (later changed to wife, Valda Anne) and place of residence as Wittenoom St Collie. He was allocated RAAF service number 406258 and trained as a pilot. John O’Donnell remained in service with the RAAF post WW2, eventually retiring in 1966 with the rank of Wing Commander. His distinguished 26 year service saw him awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in WW2 and a USA Air Medal (foreign award) during the Korean conflict. At time of discharge he was serving with the Department of Air. The DFC is awarded for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. The USA Air Medal is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial combat.
406258 Flying Officer John Joseph O’Donnell DFC - WW2 Service
After training as a Pilot John found himself posted to 11 Squadron RAF (British Royal Air Force). Known as the oldest fighter Squadron in the world, first formed in 1915 during WW1, the Sqn saw extensive service during WW2. 11 Squadron was one of the few RAF squadrons to fight against Italian, German, Vichy French and Japanese forces. By 1943 many Australian aircrews were serving with the squadron.
Whilst serving with 11 Squadron, Flying Officer John O’Donnell was recommended and later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The citation read;
Royal Australian Air Force
Honours and Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross
406258 Flying Officer John Joseph O’Donnell
“Flying Officer O’Donnell has served in Ceylon, Arakan and the Imphal theatres of war. He accomplished particularly valuable work during the siege of Imphal in 1944, when he inflicted considerable damage to the enemy’s lines of communication.
On several occasions he has led his flight on very adverse monsoon weather and over rough mountainous terrain. At all times Flying Officer O’Donnell has displayed great enthusiasm, skill and courage”.
Private Address: 132 Wittenoom St Collie WA
The award was gazetted in April 1945 and awarded to John O’Donnell by the Lieutenant-Governor of WA in December 1947 at Government House Perth. Address of recipient at time of award being RAAF Base Pearce WA.
05806 Flight Lieutenant John Joseph O’Donnell DFC Korean War Service (note: service number change post WW2)
Only five years after the end of the Second World War, Australia became involved in the Korean War. Flight Lieutenant O’Donnell DFC, aged 36 years, was posted to Korea in March 1952 and found himself in another war, this time with RAAF 77 (fighter) Squadron.
On 25 June 1950, RAAF No 77 Squadron was committed to support United Nations forces in Korea. With the Squadron's deployment, Australia became the first United Nations member, outside the United States, to conduct combat operations in the defence of South Korea. The Squadron's Mustangs were used extensively in the close support and interdiction roles, striking Communist targets both south and north of the 38th parallel. In April 1951 No 77 Squadron was re-equipped with Meteor jet fighters. The Australians gained their first confirmed MiG "kill" on 1 December when twelve Meteors were engaged by over fifty MiG 15s over Pyongyang. For the destruction of one MiG the squadron lost three Meteors with a further two damaged. This encounter highlighted the MiG's superiority in aerial combat, and as a result, the Meteors were confined to ground attack operations. In this role, the Meteors took a considerable toll on North Korean and Chinese ground forces, however, the Squadron suffered heavily at the hands of the MiGs and anti-aircraft units. By the end of hostilities in July 1953, No 77 Squadron had lost thirty-eight aircrew killed in action, with another seven captured by the enemy.
Flight Lieutenant O’Donnell, with considerable experience in ground support operations during WW2, came into his own in this role in the Korean conflict. In recognition of his gallantry he was awarded the USA Air Medal. The citation read;
Citation:
By direction of the President, Flight Lieutenant John J O’Donnell, 05806, has been awarded the Air Medal.
“Flight Lieutenant John J O’Donnell distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial combat as a pilot of Meteor Mark eight type aircraft, flying missions against the enemy in Korea in 1952. In the course of these missions, rocketing and strafing runs were made from dangerously low altitudes, destroying and damaging enemy installations and equipment. His aggressiveness and skill contributed greatly to the successful completion to these assigned missions. As a result of his valor, proficiency and devotion to duty on these occasions, he has reflected great credit upon himself, his comrades in arms of the United Nations and the Royal Australian Air Force”.
After 26 years of service to Australia, Wing Commander John Joseph O’Donnell DFC retired from the RAAF in 1966.
Remembered forever at the Collie Cardiff RSL Sub Branch
‘Lest We Forget’