The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Corporal] James B. O’Neill (ASN: 36026583), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 24 December 1944, near *****, Belgium. Sergeant O’Neill, Assistant Squad Leader, was moving forward to attack an enemy strong point when an enemy machine gun suddenly opened fire, wounding the Platoon Leader and several men. With utter disregard for a curtain of point-blank enemy machine gun fire, Sergeant O’Neill unhesitatingly rushed forward to an exposed position where he set up a machine gun. Expending two boxes of ammunition, he silenced the enemy gun, killing its crew of three men. Through the quick thinking and courage displayed by Sergeant O’Neill his platoon was able to press forward its attack without further casualties. Sergeant O’Neill’s heroic and unselfish action reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Airborne Forces.