Eugene Joseph O'Mara
Military ROLL OF HONOURBest Web - B-24 - Four Eyes
SSgt. Eugene J. O'Mara was assigned to the 343rd Bomb Squadron, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 9th Air Force in the USAAF. Crashed on the bombing mission to Ploesti in the B-24D, 42-40655, Four Eyes. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 174
SERVICE OVERVIEW
Name Eugene J O'Mara
From Belknap County, New Hampshire
Born October 19, 1920
Death August 1, 1943
War World War II
ID 11039846
Rank Staff Sergeant
Specialty Gunner
Branch US Army Air Corps
Group 98th Bomber Group, Heavy, 343rd Bomber Squadron
Cause FOD - Finding of Death
Location Ploesti, Romania
Awarded
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Purple Heart
ORIGINS
Eugene J O'Mara was born on October 19, 1920. According to our records New Hampshire was his home or enlistment state and Belknap County included within the archival record. We have Laconia listed as the city.
SERVICE
He had enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces. Served during World War II. O'Mara had the rank of Staff Sergeant. His military occupation or specialty was Gunner. Service number assignment was 11039846. Attached to 98th Bomber Group, Heavy, 343rd Bomber Squadron.
CASUALTY
During his service in World War II, Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant O'Mara experienced a critical situation which ultimately resulted in loss of life on August 1, 1943. Recorded circumstances attributed to: FOD - Finding of Death. Incident location: Ploesti, Romania.
DETAILS
On August 1, 1943 he was on the crew of the B-24D Liberator, 42-40655, Four Eyes, during a mission to bomb the oil refineries at Campina, Ploesti, in Romania.
This was Operation Tidal Wave, one of the most daring air raids initiated during the war. Allied bombers flew at tree-top level to bomb the hotly defended Romanian oil refinery, critical for the German war machine. They were among the bombers shot down by anti-aircraft fire. There were no survivors on this crew.
INCIDENT :
We identified 10 casualties in our archive that might be related to the, SN 42-40655 incident on August 1, 1943.
◼William R DeBusk :: Navigator
◼Robert C Elliott :: Gunner
◼Zelwood A Gravlin :: Gunner
◼Lawrence J Hadcock :: Pilot
◼James B Hale :: Engineer
◼Ralph D Kolb :: Gunner
◼John E Kraft :: Co-Pilot
◼Eugene J O'Mara :: Gunner
◼Lawrence E Reitz :: Radio Operator
◼Peter A Timpo :: Bombardier
REMEMBERED
Eugene J O'Mara is buried or memorialized at Saint Lamberts Cemetery, Laconia, Belknap County, New Hampshire.
COMMENDATIONS
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Purple Heart
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31125292
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12051931 / O-793322
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: - Four Eyes - Damfino
- Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Laconia, NH | 19 October 1920 | Son of Josephine O'Mara. |
Enlisted |
Manchester, NH | 21 May 1942 | Manchester, New Hampshire |
Died Killed in action |
Ploiești, Romania | 1 August 1943 | Killed in Action (KIA) Crashed on 1-Aug-43 on raid to Ploesti in 'Four Eyes' 42-40655 |
Laconia, NH, USA | |||
Buried |
Saint Lamberts Cemetery Laconia Belknap County NH | Re-Interred Saint Lamberts Cemetery Laconia Belknap County New Hampshire, USA | |
Based |
1 August 1943 | Assigned to 343BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Updated awards and bio section. No AM file exists for SSgt O'Mara.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99440820/eugene-joseph-o'mara
https://www.fold3.com/image/29418078
https://www.fold3.com/image/310763516
https://www.fold3.com/image/653118086
https://www.fold3.com/record/83377265/world-war-ii-army-enlistment-reco…
https://www.fold3.com/record/700848493/u-s-wwii-hospital-admission-card…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99440820/eugene-j.-o'mara
Removed # from A/C serial to aid clarity and consistency
Added a "-" to the A/C tail # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
Handwritten note from my Uncle, Eugene O'Mara, to his mother, Josephine, detailing the crew of the Damfino. From the personal effects of his sister, Therese-O'Mara-Poire-Bedard
From the personal effects of his sister, Therese O'Mara-Poire -Bedard
Information from the personal effects of my mother, Therese O'Mara-Poire-Bedard.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Ploesti