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CDR Charles “Obie” O ’Brien, Jr.
Charles “Obie” O’Brien was more than just a skilled pilot; he was a legend in the cockpit. Born in Philadelphia, PA, to Charles and Dorthy O'Brien. Charles's journey -1946, Obie was just about to begin his military career. His determination was evident as he passed all the necessary exams, making him eligible to attend a university with a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. He chose to enroll at Villanova College and was also sworn into the Navy on July 18, 1946, as a V-5 Apprentice Seaman.
Obie reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) in Pensacola, Florida, where he trained on the SNJ and F6F Hellcat. His hard work and dedication paid off when he earned the coveted Wings of Gold in June 1950. After graduation, he reported for duty with Jet Training Unit One (JTU-1) at Whiting Field, where he logged time in the TO-1, the Navy’s designation for the Lockheed Shooting Star.
On completing his jet training, however, Obie was assigned to a Corsair unit! His reaction was one of surprise and humor, as he says, “Go Figure?”
Obie was assigned to a Corsair Squadron on the USS Lake Champlain (CV 39) and then USS Boxer (CV 21) and flew 24 missions over Korea.
Three of those missions were in the F4U-4 Corsair, and at the end of his deployment in Korea, he was asked to fly this Corsair off the carrier to its next assignment at another Naval Air Station.
His wartime Corsair served in various Navy and Marine squadrons before being sold to civilian owners.
Its history continued as one of the Corsairs in the 1970 TV Show Black Sheep Squadron, which aired from September 21, 1976, to April 6, 1978. Obie's Corsair was in 35-36 episodes and debuted in the Flying Misfits, the pilot for the series Baa Baa Black Sheep.