Vincent M. O'Neill served in the 860th Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier on the B-17G #43-38480 during World War II. He was Killed in Action in the crash of his plane on September 30, 1944.
B-17G #43-38480 took off, with a crew of 9, from Station 152, England, on a bombing mission over Bielefeld, Germany. Near the target, they were hit by the debris from B-17G #43-38115, which had accidentally been hit by bombs from a B-17 above them and exploded. B-17G #43-38480 then crashed near Wahnbeckerheide, southeast of Bielefeld, Germany. Two crew members survived the crash.
2Lt O'Neill is now buried in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Rock Island County, Illinois, USA, in the same grave with F/O Austin.
B-17G #43-38480 crew members who perished were:
Austin, Allen L. ~ FO, Navigator, IL
Bingman, Thomas C. ~ Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, VA
Jupinko, John ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, MD
LaFlame, Edison W. ~ 2nd Lt, Pilot, PA
Levine, Morris J. ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, CA
Malloy, Joseph P. ~ Sgt, Waist Gunner, DC
O'Neill, Vincent M. ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier, IL
The survivors were:
Howard Otip ~ Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Jack Glide ~ Radio Operator
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com