World War II Honoree

Edward J. O'Neill, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Columbus, Ohio

Honored By

LTC Edward J. O'Neill

Relationship

Grandson

INITIALLY ENLISTED AS A NAVAL AVIATION CADET. DUE TO MEDICAL ISSUES, TRANSFERRED TO SURFACE WARFARE NAVY. SERVED ON BOARD A LANDING SHIP, TRANSPORT (LST). PART OF THE LANDINGS IN SICILY (PALERMO), ITALY (SALERNO) AND YELLOW/RED/GREEN BEACHES IN THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE; AUGUST 15, 1944. ABOARD LST 551, AND 23 OTHER PORTS OF CALL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. SERVED AS QUARTERMASTER. PERFORMED NAVIGATION OF SHIPS, STEERING, LOOKOUT SUPERVISION, SHIP CONTROL, BRIDGE WATCH DUTIES, VISUAL COMMUNICATION AND MAINTENANCE OF NAVIGATIONAL AIDS. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR, WWII CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL.