Simon O'Neill

Lore & Background

Simon O'Neill served as a flying officer in the 147th Aero Squadron, part of the 1st Pursuit Group, First United States Army. He flew Nieuport 28 aircraft in the Toul Sector, where the squadron's mission was to engage and clear enemy aircraft, provide escort, attack observation balloons, and perform close air support. On 4 June 1918, O'Neill led a patrol at 5,000 meters when fellow pilot Lt. Larwence dived away; O'Neill followed him down through heavy clouds, but Larwence lost control and crashed fatally. On 25 June, O'Neill's entire formation became lost during a patrol near Metz after a heavy anti-aircraft barrage broke up their flight. O'Neill landed in Switzerland after a two-hour flight, unable to find his way back. He later participated in the Marne Sector operations, where on 1 July 1918, he engaged five German Pfalz D.III scout planes, driving one down out of control before both his guns jammed and he was forced to withdraw with two enemy aircraft on his tail.

In Their Own Story

The morning of 4 June 1918 broke clear over the Toul Sector. Simon O'Neill climbed his Nieuport 28 to 5,000 meters, leading a patrol with Lt. Larwence. Suddenly, Larwence dived away. O'Neill followed him down through heavy clouds between 3,000 and 1,000 meters. Larwence made a motion to descend, then lost control of his Nieuport and fell into a left spin. He was still spinning when he hit the ground; the plane immediately caught fire. O'Neill landed and found him dead. Later, on 25 June, O'Neill took off before dawn with two flights to meet Salmson 2 photographic planes returning from near Metz. While waiting, his 'A' Flight formation was broken up by a terrific anti-aircraft barrage near the city. The Salmsons never appeared. O'Neill flew for two hours, lost, and eventually landed in Switzerland. On 1 July, now in the Marne Sector, O'Neill's low flight spotted five German Pfalz D.III scout planes crossing the line at Château-Thierry. He engaged and drove one down out of control, but both his guns jammed. With two enemy aircraft on his tail, he was forced to withdraw.

Reader's Guide

Simon O'Neill appears in squadron records as a pilot of the 147th Aero Squadron, flying Nieuport 28s. He participated in the squadron's first combat patrols in the Toul Sector beginning 31 May 1918, where the squadron flew three scheduled patrols and three or four voluntary patrols each day. O'Neill's key engagements include: on 4 June 1918, leading a patrol at 5,000 meters and witnessing Lt. Larwence's fatal crash; on 25 June 1918, becoming lost during a patrol near Metz and landing in Switzerland; and on 1 July 1918, engaging five Pfalz D.III scouts over Château-Thierry, downing one before his guns jammed. The squadron later exchanged its Nieuport 28s for SPAD S.XIIIs on 15 August 1918. O'Neill's combat record reflects the dangers of early American air operations—mechanical failures, navigation errors, and intense anti-aircraft fire were constant threats.

Did You Know?

• Simon O'Neill landed in Switzerland on 25 June 1918 after becoming lost during a two-hour flight following an anti-aircraft barrage near Metz.
• On 4 June 1918, O'Neill led a patrol at 5,000 meters and witnessed fellow pilot Lt. Larwence crash fatally after losing control in a left spin.
• O'Neill drove down one German Pfalz D.III scout plane out of control on 1 July 1918 over Château-Thierry before both his guns jammed.
• The 147th Aero Squadron flew Nieuport 28 aircraft until 15 August 1918, when they exchanged them for SPAD S.XIIIs.
• O'Neill was part of the 147th Aero Squadron, which was assigned to the 1st Pursuit Group, First United States Army.