O'Neill, Edward J. (Edward Joseph), 1902-1979

Edward Joseph O'Neill (b. March 24, 1902, St. Albans, Vt.), U.S. Army officer, received a commission in the Regular Army upon graduation from university in 1924. In his early career he served in a variety of Infantry commands and staff positions in the U.S. and Hawaii. During World War II, he served in key assignments in the field of logistics, including deputy chief of staff (logistics guidance and technical support) for VI Corps in North Africa. This unit was the U.S. assault group in the amphibious landings in Italy and Southern France and the first American unit to fight its way onto the European continent. He participated in D-Day landings and was responsible for logistical operations. After the War, he returned to Europe as Deputy Chief of Staff, HQ, U.S. Army Europe. In 1958, he had the honor of selecting the trans-Atlantic candidate for reburial at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the European-North African-Middle East unknown dead of World War II.