World War II Honoree

Melvin Leroy O'Neill

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

New Castle, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Corporal. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps September 11, 1942 from Pennsylvania. His boot camp training took place with the Eighth Recruit Battalion Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base at Parris Island, South Carolina. Later he completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Served as a Rifle Team Leader with the First Marine ‘the Old Breed’ Division in the Northwest Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Baker Company, First Battalion and Seventh Marine Regiment. His division participated in the Battle of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands (Battle Dates: Easter Sunday, April 1–June 22, 1945) Code Name: Operation Iceberg. Killed in action Thursday, May 10, 1945 during combat operations against the Imperial Japanese forces and buried in the First Marine Division Battlefield Cemetery on Okinawa. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine received his remains for burial. He was laid at rest February 18, 1949 at the Oak Park Cemetery in New Castle, Pennsylvania. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.