David F. O'Neill

David Ferguson O'Neill (December 27, 1904 – September 27, 1963) was a decorated Naval aviator and officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. A veteran of World War II, he commanded Strike Command, Aircraft Solomons on Guadalcanal, New Britain and Bougainville and received several decorations for his service.

O'Neill rose to the general's rank and commanded Force Aviation, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific and later 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Japan, before he was relieved of command and ordered back to the United States. He retired in July 1958.

Early career

David F. O'Neill was born on December 27, 1904, in Huntsville, Alabama, as the son of Peter H. O'Neill and Sarah Henderson. He attended the schools in Evansville, Indiana, and Hickory, North Carolina, before returned to Huntsville, where he graduated from the local high school. O'Neill then entered the Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama, and studied there until he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in June 1923.

Upon graduation with Bachelor of Science degree on June 2, 1927, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and ordered to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for officers' instruction. O'Neill completed the course in January 1928 and due to his excellency in football, he was selected for the All-Marine Corps Football Team at Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia, and played as Defensive back for season 1927–1928.

By the end of November 1956, O'Neill was relieved of command by Major General Arthur H. Binney and ordered back to the United States. The official explanation was, that change in command was in no way connected with O'Neill's order about wives and his transfer had been planned for some time. Commandant Pate commented whole matter, that O'Neill made an error, and that the Marine dependents policy had been relaxed somewhat in some units, but should have been enforced in certain units long ago.

Retirement

Following his retirement from the Marines, O'Neill worked for Thiokol Chemical Corporation in Bristol, Pennsylvania, before returned to Washington, D.C., for his second retirement.

Major General David F. O'Neill died on September 27, 1963, aged 58, and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. His wife Alice E. O'Neill was buried beside him. Decorations Major General O'Neill's personal decorations include: