Santa Cruz County AZ Archives Military Records.....O'Neill, Ralph A. 1918
WWI 147th Aero Squadron
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 21, 2007, 9:55 pm

Distinguished Service Cross Citation
  Ralph A. O'Neill, first lieutenant, Air Service, pilot, 147th Aero Squadron.
For extraordinary heroism in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, July 2, 1918.
Lieut. O'Neill and four other pilots attacked 12 enemy battle planes. In a
violent battle within the enemy's lines they brought down three German planes,
one of which was credited to Lieut. O'Neill.

  A bronze oak leaf is awarded to Lieut. O'Neill for the following act of.
extraordinary heroism in action: On July 5, 1918, he led three other pilots in
battle against eight German pursuit planes near Chateau-Thierry, France. He
attacked the leader, opening lire at about 150 yards, and closing up to 30 yards
range. After a quick and decisive fight the enemy aircraft fell in flames. He
then turned on throe other machines that were attacking him from the rear and
brought one of them down. The other five enemy planes were driven away.

  Another bronze oak leaf is awarded him for the following act of extraordinary
heroism in action near Fresnes, France, July 24, 1918: He with four other pilots
engaged 12 enemy planes discovered hiding in the sun. Leading the way to an
advantageous position, by a series of bold and skillful maneuvers he shot down
the leader of the hostile formation. The other German planes then, closed in on
him, but he climbed to a position of vantage above them and returned to the
fight and drove down another plane. In this encounter he not only defeated his
opponents in spite of overwhelming odds against him, but also enabled the
reconnaissance plane to carry on its work unmolested. Residence at appointment:
21S Sonorita Street, Nogales, Ariz.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
AND THE
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
ISSUED BY THE WAR DEPARTMENT
Since April 6, 1917
Up to and including
General Orders, No. 126, War Department, November 11, 1919

COMPILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1920


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