Walter F. O'Neill

Walter F. O'Neill, Jr. formerly of Aberdeen, MD died Thursday, October 7, 2010 at his assisted living residence in Belair, MD. He was 91. A former WWII U.S. Army Air Corps aviator and airline pilot, he was a well known and well respected general aviation flight instructor in the Baltimore and Harford County areas for many years. Born in Baltimore, MD on January 26, 1919, he was the son of the late Walter F. O'Neill, Sr. and Beatrice J. (Masilek) O'Neill. He graduated from Towson Catholic High School in 1937 and attended the University of Baltimore where he saw an opportunity t pursue aviation. Walt had always wanted to fly and soon was receiving flight instruction at the old Curtis-Wright Airport in Baltimore. He earned his private pilot certificated in 1941 at the age of 22. Shortly after licensing, that same year, Walt joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in hopes of training as a military pilot, after Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into WWII, his opportunity would soon come; he was about to embark on the greatest adventure of his life. Before acceptance into the Cadet Aviation Program, he had risen to the rank of Sergeant as an enlisted man. Once graduated from the flight program, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and began training for advanced ratings in various types of multi-engine transport and bomber aircraft to include the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, and the B-25 Mitchell Bomber. As a service pilot, Walt ferried factory new aircraft to distribution points overseas, bringing back battle weary units for disposition. In 1943 he was sent to the China-Burma-India Theatre where he completed over 800 hours of treacherous airlift duty over the Himalaya Mountain Ranges, notoriously referred to as the "Hump" where many aircraft, pilots, and crewmembers were lost. Walt also served as Chief Instructor Pilot at U.S. training bases and finally flew at a New York to Paris shuttle with C-54 transports returning wounded personnel and medical staff back home in the last days of the war. Walt left the Air Force in 1945 having attained the rank of Captain and amassing over 1400 hours combat flight time. He was awarded the following decorations; two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation and the WWII China War Memorial Medal. Returning home to Baltimore, he settled back into civilian life as an Airline Pilot for Capital Airlines out of Washington, DC and in April of 1946 married Margaret Elizabeth Shroyer of Parkville, Baltimore County, MD. Seeing the need to be at home with a growing family, Walt left the airlines and opened a used car business on Eastern Ave. in Baltimore City, a business that he and his father knew well. Post war demand for automobiles was great and the business flourished. Shortly after setting in with his young family in Parkville, having been passed over in the call-up for the Korean War, Walt became interested in stock car racing. With a friend and a relative who operated a garage, they set out to design and build a car that would be a contender in the "D" Modified Production class. In early 1952 a Chevrolet coupe, number 44 rolled out of Indian Rock Garage in Perry Hall. Walt competed with number 44 throughout the early 1950's in the regional racing circuit to include Westport, Mason-Dixon, Reading and Dorsey Speedways. The car was retired to the mid 1950's with an impressive record of wins, having numerous trophies and cash prizes to it's credit. In 1955, in search of a more rural environment to raise his two sons, Walt moved the family to Aberdeen and accepted a position as Sales Manager for the Charlie White Chevrolet Company which later became Henry Miller Chevrolet. After ten years with the organization, he resigned to join the Equitable Trust Co. as Senior Loan Officer, a position he remained in until retiring in 1978. Walt also became involved in business ventures and real estate development in Harford County. He bought and renovated a number of commercial properties. He owned and operated two laundry mats in Havre de Grace at Warren St and Post Rd. With partners in 1963, Walt developed and built the Winston Hall Apartment complex at Union and Congress Aves in Havre de Grace. Throughout his lengthy retirement and well into his eighties Walt kept busy as an FAA Certified Flight Instructor at many of the local airports including Harford County Municipal, Forest Hill Airpark, Aberdeen Proving Ground and Edgewood Arsenal. He was a licensed pilot and flight instructor for over sixty-five years. He was a mentor to hundreds of area aviators including his sons James and Edmund who were both well schooled, proficient recreational pilots themselves. Walter F. O'Neill, Jr. was a great American, a fine Military officer, a gentleman in the cockpit and a respected member of the business community. He will be sorely missed, yet fondly remembered by all with whom he had contact. He is survived by sons; James F. O'Neill of Abingdon and Edward J. O'Neill of North East, nieces; Mary Sue Snyder, Joan Macari and Elizabeth Walter, all of Baltimore, and nephew Dr. Lawence Snyder of Baltimore. A memorial mass will be celebrated Monday, October 25 at 10am in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Aberdeen. Interment will follow in Baker Cemetery. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001