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 Technical Sergeant James Allen O’Neal (ASN: 6960139), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Photographer of a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 719th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission over Rumania, on 4 April 1944, Technical Sergeant O’Neal was participating in a particularly dangerous mission to destroy vitally important marshalling yards in Rumania when his formation was fired upon by enemy anti-aircraft ground batteries and an attacking force of approximately one hundred enemy fighters. Cannon shells penetrated the aircraft, wounding the left waist gunner and killing the right waist and ball turret gunners. Flak fragments struck Technical Sergeant O’Neal in the left foot shattering his heel and ankle as he photographed the area until the camera, struck by another flak shell, was blown out of the hatch. Although suffering from intense pain and completely disregarding his own safety, he crawled to the waist window, repaired the tangled ammunition belts and commenced firing at the oncoming enemy planes contributing to the destruction of 40 enemy fighters. With two engines shot away, and a fire in the bomb bay, the order to abandon the aircraft was given. Struggling to retain consciousness, Technical Sergeant O’Neal noticed as he was preparing to bail out through the camera hatch, that the severely wounded left waist gunner was unable to leave the plane. Not until he was certain that his wounded comrade’s chute was opening did Technical Sergeant O’Neal release his man and pull his own rip cord. Technical Sergeant O’Neal has exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.