The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Walter C. O’Neil, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on Attu, Aleutian Islands, Territory of Alaska, on 24 May 1943. A well prepared enemy position on Fishhook Ridge consisted of fox holes and protected by machine guns and snipers on both flanks had been holding up the advance of an attacking battalion. The approach to this position was up a steep hill and across snow fields which offered no cover. With a platoon of 18 men, Lieutenant O’Neil launched his attack and led his men forward with utter disregard of enemy fire coming from three directions. Upon reaching a shelf of rocks about 50 yards from the enemy position he reorganized his small force now consisting of only eight men, posted two automatic riflemen to return the fire of the machineguns and snipers from the flanks, and continued the advance with the six remaining men. Upon reaching a point just under the enemy position, Lieutenant O’Neil ordered a grenade assault, leaped to his feet and, hurling grenades, urged his companions to follow. The objective was reached with three men, and the attack was continued on the enemy position until all grenades were expended. With almost all his ammunition also gone, Lieutenant O’Neil returned to the cover of the rock ledge where he was re-supplied with ammunition during the night. As a result of this attack the enemy was forced to withdraw up the ridge about 500 feet where a new stand was made with about 40 men. As soon as darkness lifted Lieutenant O’Neil, disregarding the heavy odds against him and in spite of his harrowing experience of the preceding day, again launched an attack with six men. The attack was pressed home until the enemy was killed or driven from the ridge. This action enabled the battalion to gain a foothold on the strategic ridge and was in a large measure responsible for the joining of the north and south forces engaged in the Attu operation. Lieutenant O’Neil’s heroic action in the face of great danger and his spectacular display of battlefield leadership exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.