'For conspicuous gallantry as platoon sergeant on 8th October, 1918, during operations east of Crevecoeur. When his platoon was held up by enemy machine gun fire and his platoon commander wounded, he took charge of the platoon, got both his Lewis guns into position, and engaged the enemy. At the same time he personally worked to the flank of an enemy trench, and with a bombing section succeeded in killing several of the garrison, and took the remainder prisoner.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 18 February 1919

Regimental number	24/875
Address	James Hotel Whangarei
Marital status	Single
Next of kin	Brother, Jack O'Neill, Wanganui
Rank on embarkation	Rifleman
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 2nd Battalion, C Company
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 31 Tahiti on 10 October 1915
Final rank	Sergeant
Final unit	2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Medals	Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry as platoon sergeant on 8th October, 1918, during operations east of Crevecoeur. When his platoon was held up by enemy machine gun fire and his platoon commander wounded, he took charge of the platoon, got both his Lewis guns into position, and engaged the enemy. At the same time he personally worked to the flank of an enemy trench, and with a bombing section succeeded in killing several of the garrison, and took the remainder prisoner.' Source: London Gazette Date: 18 February 1919
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: C Company/2nd NZRB