The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Frank O’Neil, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of an LST division and Commanding Officer of LST 7. on 6 June 1944. Lieutenant Commander O’Neil worked tirelessly in preparing and training his division for the Normandy invasion. During the invasion he directed his ship in 16 extremely hazardous cross-channel trips under extremely adverse weather conditions and severe enemy shellfire and aerial bombardment.