The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal James H. O’Neill (MCSN: 362638), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Tank Gunner, serving with Company A, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 6 May 1945. Escaping injury when the tank in which he was serving as gunner was blown up by an enemy antitank gun, Corporal O’Neill promptly rushed to the aid of the crewmen and assisted the least seriously wounded to the safety of a covered position. Acting on his own initiative and with utter disregard for his personal safety, he then bravely crept forward of the battalion lines, despite extremely heavy machine-gun fire and continued antitank high explosives, and cared for and guarded a seriously wounded crewman lying in a shell hole. In a gallant attempt to carry this man to safety he was struck down by hostile fire. By his extreme bravery and unselfish concern for others, Corporal O’Neill aided materially in saving the lives of his comrades, and his courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.