As a Ranger, Sgt. Michael O’Neill distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
SGT Michael C. O’Neill from Mansfield, Ohio
SGT O’Neill served with: 3rd Ranger Battalion
Born in 1982, Ranger O’Neill was 22 years old at the time of his death in 2004.
Complete biography is below the photo gallery
SGT Michael C. O’Neill 's Biography
As a Ranger, Sgt. Michael O’Neill distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
SGT Michael C. O’Neill, 22, was an infantryman assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.
He died Nov. 21, 2004, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany from non-combat related injuries suffered Nov. 17 in Afghanistan. He was medically evacuated to Germany on Nov. 18.
A native of Mansfield, Ohio, O’Neill deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, his third OEF deployment since 2002. He had also deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
After graduating from Mansfield High School, O’Neill entered the Army in June 2001 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there in November, he was assigned to the Ranger Training Detachment, 75th Ranger Regt.
O’Neill graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in December 2001 and was then assigned to 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt., where he served as an automatic rifleman.
His military education includes the U.S. Army Ranger Course, Basic Airborne Course, Team Leader Course and Primary Leadership Development Course.
O’Neill’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab.
O’Neill is survived by his parents, George and Holly O’Neill, and his brother, George K. O’Neill, all of Mansfield, Ohio.
As a Ranger, Sgt. Michael O’Neill distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism and fought valiantly to "uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps" of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
- RANGERS LEAD THE WAY! -
