JB O’Connor: First Air Corps officer to become brigadier general

Brig Gen Jeremiah Brendan O’Connor (Jerry) was the fifth of eight children born to Jeremiah Hugh “Hugh the Mild” and Mary O’Connor in Drumlusk, Kenmare, Co Kerry. He was educated at Direendaragh National School and St Michael’s Listowel.

Football was his enduring passion throughout his life. He played for Blackwater, Templenoe and Kenmare and later for St Michael’s and Listowel Seniors. He was selected for the Kerry minors in 1938 but could not play because of injury.

He joined the Air Corps in May 1940. He was commissioned in February 1941 and got his wings in July 1941. He was posted to Rineanna (in Shannon) in 1942 to Fighter Squadron, flying Hurricanes.

While in the Air Corps, he continued his sporting career, which did not end with football as he was also the Air Corps discus and shot champion. He also played rugby with Bective Rangers in 1947.

He continued to rise through the ranks of the Air Corps, moving to Gormanston in 1945 as a captain. Subsequently he became flight commander there in 1948. He returned to Baldonnel and was appointed chief ground instructor in 1956. After promotion to commandant, he served two years with his family in the United Nations Observation Corps (1965-67) in Israel and Syria. On his return to Ireland, he became officer commanding (OC) of the Flying Wing and Tech Wing. Having served as executive officer of the Air Corps, he was promoted in 1974 to OC and was the first Air Corps officer to attain the rank of brigadier general. He retired in 1980, after 40 years of service.

During his tenure as OC, he oversaw the modernisation of the fleet and the expansion of the Air Corps’ role to include fishery protection and the Ministerial Air Transport Service.

He received many honours during his life, the most recent one a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish Aviation Industry in June 2014.

However, the honour of which he was most proud was the decision by the Air Corps under the command of Brig Gen Ralph James to dedicate the new flight simulator building in Baldonnel in his memory. It has the added distinction of bearing O’Connor’s lifelong nickname “Puchán”.

Successful recovery

The incident for which he will be long remembered is the infamous Vampire ejection episode in 1961 when he ordered Cadet Ronnie McPartland to eject from the aircraft while in an uncontrolled spin over Cavan. He ended up regaining control and safely returning the plane to Baldonnel. This remains the only recorded incident in Ireland of a successful ejection and recovery.

He married Bridget (Dotie) Brady of Oldcastle, Co Meath, on July 21st, 1948 in Haddington Road, Dublin. They moved to Templeogue in 1957 which remains the family home to this day. Dotie died in April 1989 after a long illness.

Jerry was above all else a dedicated Air Corps man. He continued to participate in Air Corps events right to the end and was particularly proud of the Air Corps’ participation in the recent 1916 celebrations.

He loved his garden which became, in retirement, a horticultural centre supplying the entire neighbourhood. He was also a life-long member of Newlands Golf Club.

O’Connor is survived by his children Helen, Pat and Diarmuid, brother Michael and grandchildren Brendan, Alexandra and Aidan.