Page 22 - O Mahony Society Newsletter NOV 2025_Neat

A Hero in the Skies:

THE REMARKABLE LEGACY OF CHARLES O’MAHONY

By Lisa O’Mahony
OMS Member

OUR FATHER, CHARLES J. O’MAHONY, often referred to “right place, right time.” This phrase captures the good fortune my
sister Jill and I experienced at the 70th Annual O’Mahony Clan Gathering in Rath Raithleann County Cork in June. It was an
inspiring weekend meeting fellow O’Mahonys who ventured to Macroom from all over the world. The atmosphere was lively
and animated and in true Irish tradition the stories began to emerge. It reminded me of our dad, whose remarkable story as a
decorated World War II bomber pilot was, in many ways, about being in the right place at the right time.
In late June 1942, our dad, an 18-year-old, full of youthful eagerness and a sense of invincibility, signed up as a United States
Army Air Corps cadet. After an intense nine-week flight training, he requested to fly the twin engine, B-26 Martin Marauder - a
plane known by the ominous nickname “The Widow Maker” due to its unforgiving nature for inexperienced pilots. He requested
the B-26, drawn to its reputation as “the hottest plane in the Allied arsenal.”

Based out of locations including Sardinia and Corsica, Charles flew with the 320th Bomb Group. He started as a “short timer,”
a new pilot learning the ropes but quickly proved his skill and leadership. By age 21, he had become Squadron Commander, one
of the youngest Squadron Commanders in the European Theater, flying 27 missions as squadron or group lead. Dad always said
that your fate was cast the night before the mission as the crew assignments and plane formations were posted for the following
day’s sortie.
Charles’ service took him across Europe, where he flew 71 combat missions over France, Italy and Germany, striking vital
targets: bridges, railway lines, and enemy positions. His tours were far from uneventful, and he detailed many close calls in his
book, The Widow Maker, where he wrote of being “a wingspan from disaster.” His personal accounts, published in his book, Blue
Battlefields, vividly describe the fear and adrenaline of combat, flying at 12,000 feet without oxygen and navigating through
enemy flak bombing German defenses along the Siegried Line.

For his bravery and leadership, our dad was awarded the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with eight
oak leaf clusters. He participated in six major campaigns during his time overseas. Even after his service, our father’s passion
for aviation never faded. He continued to fly and instruct others in sailplanes and small aircraft throughout his life. Always a
writer and storyteller, Pop, as he was later called, chronicled the history and accounts of his fellow airmen and dedicated his
books to “the brave men we left behind.” Never once did he take for granted being at the right place at the right time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND HER SISTER:

Lisa O’Mahony is a retired pediatrician, practicing primary care for over 36 years in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
USA. She most recently served as medical advisor to the newly formed Delaware County Health Department, which launched in
April 2021. Lisa resides in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, southwest of Philadelphia.

Jill O’Mahony Stewart is Adjunct Faculty in the College of Communication at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois USA. Jill was
the founder of the public relations firm, Stewart Communications, and for more than 25 years managed the company that was
devoted to “issues that matter.” Jill resides in Oak Park, Chicago, Illinois.

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