James T. O’Neill
Distinguished Service Cross
U.S. Army
World War I
General Orders No. 37, W.D., 1919
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James T. O’Neill, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Fismes, France, August 10, 1918. Under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, Private O’Neill voluntarily made five trips to ascertain the condition of a bridge over the Vesle River to make sure that it was safe for the passages of ambulances. Later, when the bridge became impassable for vehicles Private ONeill crossed the bridge on foot and brought back food and medical supplies.