The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John T. O’Neill (MCSN: 0-7270), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company A, Second Amphibious Tractor Battalion, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, from 20 to 24 November 1943. With his vehicle immobilized by hostile fire while leading his assault wave of amphibious tractors to the assigned sector of the beach on D-Day, Captain O’Neill fearlessly risked his life to evacuate casualties from the stricken craft to an outgoing vehicle. Boldly directing survivors to the shore where he boarded another tractor in which the entire crew had been killed, he subsequently returned across the reef with additional wounded and after transferring the men to a landing boat, reloaded his vehicle with reinforcements and was proceeding to the beach when another bursting shell disabled his craft. Although painfully wounded by shrapnel, he boarded a third tractor and dauntlessly continued to transport vitally needed troops and supplies throughout the most bitter stage of the hostilities. By his daring initiative, unwavering perseverance and cool courage in the face of tremendous odds, Captain O’Neill contributed immensely to the success of the Tarawa Campaign and his zealous devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.