John (Bucky) O`Connell was born in Taunton MA on 16/06/18. He joined up on the 2nd Jan 1942 and trained at Chanute Field Ill and Boeing in Seattle WA as an Airplane Mechanic.

Between December 1942 and June 1943 he flew 50 Missions with the 97th BG 12th AF and after18 months as a Gunnery Instructor volunteered for another tour with the 8th AF. Assigned to the 563rd BS of the 388th BG he flew a further 20 missions before wars end.

After the war he married his wife Shirley and had a son, Robert and a Daughter, Carol. they were followed by 3 Grandchildren and a Great Grandchild. He became a policeman retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Detective in Taunton Mass and became a State Inspector Comm of Massachusetts.