James Francis O'Neil

FIRST LIEUTENANT JAMES FRANCIS "ACE" O'NEIL
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron 9

James Francis O'Neil grew up in Flushing, New York. Earning a congressional appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, he joined the pioneer Class of 1959 as a member of Cadet Squadron 09. During his time at the Academy, he earned the nickname "Ace" among his classmates and fellow cadets.

MILITARY SERVICE

Following graduation and commissioning in 1959, Lt. O'Neil entered Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base, California. Upon completing his training in 1960, he was assigned as a navigator with the 348th Bomb Squadron at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, where he served through 1962.

CIVILIAN AVIATION & POST-GRADUATE ACADEMIC PURSUITS

After concluding his active military duty as a First Lieutenant (O-2), James transitioned into aerospace engineering and commercial aviation operations. From 1962 to 1964, he worked as a Maintenance Engineer for Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, New York. He then joined American Airlines at LaGuardia Airport in Flushing, New York, serving as Flight Operations Publications Supervisor from 1964 to 1969.

While working in aviation, James pursued advanced graduate studies. He earned a Master of Science in Industrial Management from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1968 and later completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at St. John's University in New York in 1974.

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP & EXECUTIVE CAREER


In 1969, James accepted a role with Trans World Airlines (TWA) as Assistant Treasurer, managing treasury operations across TWA's administrative centers in New York and Kansas City, Missouri, through 1986.

He then joined the telecommunications sector, taking on leadership roles at US Sprint:

• 1986–1987: Director of Risk Management & Pensions, US Sprint (Kansas City, MO)
• 1987–1990: Vice President & Treasurer, US Sprint Communications Co. (Kansas City, MO)
• 1990–2000: Director of Risk Management & Loss Prevention, Sprint Corp (Westwood, KS)

After a distinguished 38-year post-military corporate career, James retired from Sprint Corporation in 2000.

EDUCATION

Year Degree / Program Institution
1959 B.S., Military Science United States Air Force Academy
1968 M.S., Industrial Management Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, NY
1974 MBA, Business Administration St. John's University, NY

MEDALS AND AWARDS
Category Recognition / Badges
Aeronautical Rating Air Force Navigator Wings
Service Ribbons National Defense Service Medal

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS & CAREER TIMELINE

Years Duty / Role Location / Organization
1955–1959 Cadet, Squadron 9 U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
1959–1960 Navigator Training Mather Air Force Base, CA
1960–1962 Navigator 348th Bomb Squadron, Westover AFB, MA
1962–1964 Maintenance Engineer Republic Aviation, Farmingdale, NY
1964–1969 Flight Operations Publications Supervisor American Airlines, LaGuardia Airport, Flushing, NY
1969–1986 Assistant Treasurer TWA Administrative Center, NY / Kansas City, MO
1986–1987 Director, Risk Management & Pensions US Sprint, Kansas City, MO
1987–1990 Vice President & Treasurer US Sprint Communications Co., Kansas City, MO
1990–2000 Director, Risk Management & Loss Prevention Sprint Corp, Westwood, KS
2000 Retired