F/Sgt Blue O’Connell (423858) enlisted in RAAF Aircrew on the 18th of July 1942 in Sydney. He completed his training as a fighter pilot and then joined 78 Squadron on operations based at Nadzab, Cape Gloucester, Tadji and Hollandia flying Kittyhawks.

O’Connell’s next posting was to Mildura as a flying instructor. However, He was grounded due to Malaria. Before leaving Mildura, he went up for one last flight with his 78 Squadron friend Pilot Officer John Gadsden (423858) on 25 October 1944 in a Wirraway A20-613, the aircraft went into a spin and crashed near Wentworth NSW.

Acknowledgement – Aileen Miller (sister) through Harry Bryant (Nowra)