Birth: Mar. 1, 1938, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA
Death: Apr. 26, 1968, Hue, Thua Thien-Hue, Vietnam
Burial: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA
Plot: Section M, Site 2757
US Air Force SGT Daniel Jerome O’Connor, Vietnam Veteran and native of St Paul, Minnesota.
US Air Force Sergeant Daniel Jerome O’Connor was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Air Force, SGT O’Connor served our country until April 26th, 1968 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam. He was 30 years old and was married. Daniel died when his plane crashed. His body was recovered. Daniel was born on March 1st, 1938 in St Paul, Minnesota. SGT O Connor is on panel 52E, line 022 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for 8 years.
Sgt. Daniel Jerome O’Connor served as a Sergeant with the 600th Photo Squadron, 7th Air Force, United States Air Force, Vietnam.
He was awarded The Airman’s Medal, The Purple Heart Medal, The Air Medal with Devices, The Air Force Good Conduct Medal with One Device, The National Defense Service Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Vietnam Campaign Medal and The Vietnamese Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.
OPERATION DELAWARE, which began 19 April 1968, was intended to disrupt enemy activities in the western part of the A Shau Valley. On 25 April, US cavalry units air assaulted into the abandoned airstrip at A Loui. On the 26th, in weather with ceilings as low as 300 to 500 feet, C-130s from Cam Ranh Bay, Bien Hoa, and Tan Son Nhut were tasked with air-dropping supplies to the cavalrymen. The first 20 C-130s received antiaircraft fire, and seven of them were hit. The 21st C-130 (tail number 60-0298) was hit heavily by .51 caliber and 37mm AAA fire and its cargo was set afire. The pilot elected to attempt an emergency landing on the airstrip but hit trees on final, crashed, and exploded. When the burning wreckage cooled sufficiently, the bodies of five of the eight men were recovered – but there was no trace of the pilot, navigator, or loadmaster. All eight men were classified killed in action:
Maj Lilburn R Stow (BNR)
Capt James J McKinstry
Maj John L McDaniel (BNR)
TSgt Russell R Fyan -Aerial Combat Photographer
SSgt Beryl S Blaylock
Sgt Daniel J O’Connor – Aerial Combat Photographer
Sgt Larry R Todd (BNR)
A1C Kenneth L Johnson
Jesus H. Garcia was stationed with Daniel O’Connor at the 600th Photo Sq 67-68. I was schedule to fly with Dan on this flight but due to an injury suffered earlier and could no longer fly while recovering. It has being painful all this years wondering why my close brother in arms died and I was spared. He was a brave Aerial Combat Cameraman, true friend and HERO. God knows why! I still remember and see his eyes looking at me the night before stating “Jesse, I am not going to make it”. Rest in Peace my brother!