In advance of an assaulting line, Sgt. Richard W. O'Neill attacked a detachment of about 25 enemy soldiers in an ensuing hand-to-hand encounter. He sustained pistol wounds, and as the advance continued, he received additional wounds but remained in active command of his squad, being again wounded. Forced by loss of blood to be evacuated, he first insisted on being taken to his battalion commander to report on the position of his men as well as that of the enemy.