The squadron was transferred to Coastal Command and then returned to Bomber Command. O’Neill was awarded the DFC for his service with 58.
In September 1940, O’Neill fulfilled a long held ambition to become a fighter pilot. He joined No 601 Squadron, quickly moving to No 238 Squadron, another Hurricane outfit, as a Flight Commander. He went on to take up a training post, served at No 10 Group HQ and in 1942 went to India, where he held various operational appointments but was invalided home at the end of 1943.
O’Neill was Station Commander at West Malling and Bradwell Bay. His post-war appointments included air attache in Israel and at NATO headquarters. He retired from the RAF in 1957 as a Wing Commander, retaining the rank of Group Captain, and died in 2008.
