The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Tralee born US Army pilot honoured at gridiron game
O’SULLIVAN WAS AWARDED FIVE PURPLE HEARTS AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
A TRALEE born pilot who completed two tours of Vietnam, earned five purple hearts and who was awarded one of the US Army’s highest honours in the Distinguished Service Cross, was honoured at recent American Football match in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
John O’ Sullivan, who was born in Tralee and lived in Ireland until he was 18-years-old, went on to serve in the US Army’s 174th Aviation Company on two tours of Vietnam between 1969 and 1970, becoming one of the most decorated aviators of the Vietnam con- flict. His Irish citizenship prevented him from being awarded the Medal of Honour, the highest military award bestowed on the US armed forces.
The fearless pilot flew the famous Huey helicopters, an iconic machine from the Vietnam conflict.
John, who passed away in 2013 due to complications with an illness he is believed to have contracted in Vietnam, was remembered along with three other Irish American soldiers in a short video presentation in front of his family and over 30,000 people in the stadium.
The short ceremony took place at the Aer Lingus College Football match between Boston College and Georgia Tech which ended with victory for Georgia Tech.
“He was one of the most decorated US aviators during the Vietnam War; he was a mathematical genius and people who flew with him said he was one of the best there was,” said James Sikora, a member of the Irish Veterans charity and one of the organisers behind the ceremony.
“If you read his medal citation, the things he did were absolute lunacy; even the Army couldn’t tone them down!
“Sometimes our soldiers here in Ireland aren’t remembered as well as they should be and when we were given a minute and half ’s slot to honour these men and their contribution on Saturday, we wanted to do them justice,” James added.
The charity behind the presentation is known as Irish Veterans and their mission is to remember and honour the involvement of the Irish men and women in service of another nation.