The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Ned R. O’Neill (ASN: 39377319), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a radio man with a Tank Division on the FIFTH Army front in Italy in September 1944. Sergeant O’Neill was directed by radio to move his tank into position to fire down into German foxholes and machine gun emplacements, and cover friendly tanks attacking a hill. His tank threw a track and Sergeant O’Neill dismounted to direct the driver in an attempt to drive back onto the thrown track. As he got out into a hail of German artillery, mortar, sniper and machine gun fire, a sniper’s bullet wounded him fatally. His gallant action above and beyond the call of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army.