Daniel J. O'Neill

Daniel J. O'Neill (24 July 1937 – 28 July 2015) was an American schoolteacher, school administrator, and military officer from Pennsylvania. A longtime member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, he served from 1959 to 1995 and attained the rank of major general as commander of the 28th Infantry Division. O'Neill was the recipient of several military awards, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit.

A native of Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania, O'Neill was raised and educated in Pleasant Mount and was a 1955 graduate of Pleasant Mount High School. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Scranton in 1959, and began a career as a school teacher, principal, and superintendent that culminated with appointment as superintendent of the Wayne Highlands School District. During his career as an educator, he received master's degrees from the University of Scranton (education) and Lehigh University (counseling).

O'Neill participated in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps while at the University of Scranton and in June 1959 he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Military Police. He served in the United States Army for 18 months, then joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He attained qualification as an Infantry officer and served primarily in 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment. In addition to staff assignments of increased rank and responsibility, O'Neill commanded a company, a battalion, and a brigade. He attained the rank of brigadier general in 1987 as assistant division commander of the 28th Infantry Division. In 1989, he was assigned to command the division, and in 1990 he was promoted to major general. He left command in 1994, and retired from the military in 1995.

O'Neill died in Honesdale, Pennsylvania on 28 July 2015. He was buried at Saint Juliana's Cemetery in Rock Lake, Pennsylvania.

Early life Daniel Joseph O'Neill was born in Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania on 24 July 1937, the son of Paul L. O'Neill and Eleanor M. (Leonard) O'Neill. He was raised and educated in Pleasant Mount, and graduated from Pleasant Mount High School in 1955. United States Army Command and General Staff College In November 1989, O'Neill was appointed to command the 28th Infantry Division, succeeding Vernon E. James, and he was subsequently promoted to major general. He continued to lead the division until 1994, when he was succeeded by Joseph F. Perugino and assigned as deputy commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard's State Area Command. He retired from the military in September 1995.

O'Neill was a licensed fixed-wing pilot and a longtime high school and college basketball referee. Major General, 1990 Colonel, 1986 Lieutenant Colonel, 1981 Major, 1972