Philip B. O'Connell was born on November 21, 1919 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. He was a graduate of Mt. Carmel high school, Captain O'Connell attended the University of Illinois for three years prior to entering the service. He served in the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group as a Captain during World War II. He was reported as missing in action on October 28, 1942, after completing a dive-bombing mission against an enemy merchant vessel. His name is commemorated on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.
CPT O'Connell was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is also commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov