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.
While at the academy, O'Neill excelled in football and was awarded "N" for excellence in that sport. He was also active in baseball, and basketball and was nicknamed "Peg" by his peers. Among his classmates were several future general officer including future Chief of Naval Operations George W. Anderson Jr.; Admiral John Thach, vice admirals Glynn R. Donaho and Herbert D. Riley; Marine lieutenant generals John C. Munn and Alan Shapley; major generals Marion L. Dawson, Samuel S. Jack, Jack P. Juhan, Francis M. McAlister, Henry R. Paige and brigadier generals Walter L. J. Bayler, Joseph E. Earnshaw, Harold D. Hansen, Archie E. O'Neil, Richard P. Ross Jr. and Earl S. Piper.
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.
O'Neill was transferred to the Marine barracks at Naval Torpedo Station Newport, Rhode Island in December 1928 and served there until August 1930, when he was sent to the Marine barracks at Philadelphia Navy Yard. While there, he served as a manager of All-Marine Corps Baseball Team for one season, before returned to Marine Barracks Quantico in February 1931 and rejoined Marine Corps football team.
In March 1932, O'Neill was ordered to the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for flight training, which he completed in March 1933 and was designated Naval aviator. He was subsequently ordered to Naval Air Station San Diego, California. He joined the Aircraft Squadrons, West Coast Expeditionary Force and participated in the maneuvers aboard aircraft carrier Langley off the coast of California.
O'Neill was promoted to first lieutenant in January 1934 and later served with the Marine Air Squadron aboard aircraft carrier Lexington. He was promoted to captain in June 1936 and participated in another series of maneuvers in the Caribbean and off the East Coast.
In June 1937, O'Neill returned to Quantico, Virginia, and joined the Marine Bombing Squadron 1-M, participating in the maneuvers in the Caribbean. He was ordered to the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, in August 1939 and completed junior course in May 1940. O'Neill then joined as flight officer the Marine Scouting Squadron 1 at Quantico and later accompanied his unit to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
World War II
Upon his return stateside in July 1941, O'Neill was promoted to major and joined the newly activated 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing under Brigadier General Roy S. Geiger as Air Liaison Officer with the Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet under Major General Clayton B. Vogel. Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States entry into World War II, O'Neill participated in the intensive preparation for combat deployment and was promoted to the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel in August 1942.
O'Neill embarked for South Pacific in October that year and served as air liaison officer between general Vogel's I Marine Amphibious Corps and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, now under the command of his former superior officer, Roy S. Geiger. O'Neill participated in several aerial combat missions during the Battle of Guadalcanal and received his first Air Medal.