OWEN E. O'NEILL, CAPT, USMC

Owen O'Neill '15

Date of birth: February 19, 1892

Date of death: March 17, 1920

Age: 28

Lucky Bag

From the 1915 Lucky Bag:

Owen Eugene O'Neill

New London, Connecticut

"Genie" "Oatmeal" "Owen"

"HEY, Genie! how's the Whirlwind?" "Well, the last I heard of him, he was still in his cups."

This specimen from the Nutmeg State started his career at Yale, but the water, for which he has the greatest respect, called him; and here's hoping it will be the salt water, and not the Natatorium, that does the calling this June. Genie's chief joy in life is repartee; in fact he often rivals the famous Daniel himself in the art. This asset certainly stands him in good stead when dealing with Cockey's superior line of arguments, which often call for "something practical" in the line of a surprise party. Plebe year Owen had a great time, with his nonchalant air; however, the last Plebe night he showed head-work in sleeping peacefully in the room of one of his first class antagonists, while the rest of us "enjoyed" our showers as we had never done before. Genie is not strong for the drag, participating but once up to date, but at a stag party he is a crackerjack.

After a Fourth of July liberty in Maine: "Who said Prohibition was a Maine State?" Most of us remember his dramatic entrance to the class supper with a howling white cat in his arms. But above all. Genie believes in the Conservation of Energy, and, outside of a little Sunday baseball on the old Fourth Company team, has seldom violated this precept.

Genie, we want to be among your messmates, for having you as a friend means having one who is a friend in more than name.

"Who goes down in the bunkers to-night?"

Owen Eugene O'Neill

New London, Connecticut

"Genie" "Oatmeal" "Owen"

"HEY, Genie! how's the Whirlwind?" "Well, the last I heard of him, he was still in his cups."

This specimen from the Nutmeg State started his career at Yale, but the water, for which he has the greatest respect, called him; and here's hoping it will be the salt water, and not the Natatorium, that does the calling this June. Genie's chief joy in life is repartee; in fact he often rivals the famous Daniel himself in the art. This asset certainly stands him in good stead when dealing with Cockey's superior line of arguments, which often call for "something practical" in the line of a surprise party. Plebe year Owen had a great time, with his nonchalant air; however, the last Plebe night he showed head-work in sleeping peacefully in the room of one of his first class antagonists, while the rest of us "enjoyed" our showers as we had never done before. Genie is not strong for the drag, participating but once up to date, but at a stag party he is a crackerjack.

After a Fourth of July liberty in Maine: "Who said Prohibition was a Maine State?" Most of us remember his dramatic entrance to the class supper with a howling white cat in his arms. But above all. Genie believes in the Conservation of Energy, and, outside of a little Sunday baseball on the old Fourth Company team, has seldom violated this precept.

Genie, we want to be among your messmates, for having you as a friend means having one who is a friend in more than name.

"Who goes down in the bunkers to-night?"

Loss

Owen was lost on March 17, 1920 when he died in a hospital in Philadelphia of meningitis. He was 28, and commanding officer of the 5th Company (Engineers), 1st Marine Regiment.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Owen was born in Boston and grew up in New London, Connecticut; he attended public schools and graduated from Bulkeley in 1909.
Owen went by his middle name Eugene.
In December, 1909, Owen was manager of the Bulkeley school’s baseball team. He was also secretary and treasurer of the Interscholastic baseball league of Connecticut and sent the new by-laws to all schools in January, 1910.
Also in January, Owen was elected vice president of the newly established St. Vincent de Paul society at the Church of St. Michael’s church. In March, Owen, his brother John, and others of the Ten Mile Walking club of Bulkeley school took a hike to Norwich.
In December that year, Owen was nominated to the Naval Academy by Congressman E. W. Higgins.
When Owen graduated from the Naval Academy, he went to the marine barracks at Washington. The Norwich Bulletin newspaper reported that he elected to go into the marine corps instead of the navy, because the marine corps offered a chance of more rapid promotion.
He next went to Haiti and in December, 1917, he sailed from Cristobal to New York City. He was stationed in Haiti until August, 1919, when he transferred to Philadelphia. In the census of January, 1920, he was listed at the Marine Barracks and was a student at Yale. He was stricken with meningitis following an infection of the face.
His father Owen was a baggage master who later was a retail and wholesale liquor dealer. Owen’s mother was Mina Ella (Brooks.) His brother Dr. John B. O’Neill became a Rear Admiral. His uncle Timothy O’Neill lived with them in 1910. Owen was survived by his uncle Margo of New London and two aunts.

He is buried in Connecticut.