By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private James O’Niel (ASN: 542093), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on 5 October 1918, Private O’Niel’s company attacked and took Hill 253 north of Sierge, France. Private O’Niel constantly carried messages to and from Regimental Post of Command and his company through heavy German machine gun and shell fire. Machine gun and rifle fire was so heavy that this man’s Company Commander would not order a runner out; Private O’Niel volunteered for this work and continued carrying messages both day and night.