Enlisted soldiers who attain the distinction of being selected by the Department of the Army for participation in the command sergeants major program are the epitome of success in their chosen field, in this profession of arms. There is no higher grade of rank, except Sergeant Major of the Army, for enlisted soldiers and there is no greater honor.
On May 9, 2014 Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives regarding the service of Army Command Sergeant Major Edward James O’Neal:
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Army Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Edward James O’Neal and commemorate his service to our great nation. O’Neal was a great friend of mine and a champion for his fellow veterans in Richmond County and all of North Carolina.
He began his distinguished military career at a young age, enlisting in the Army in 1956 at the age of seventeen. After basic training, O’Neal quickly rose up the ranks, training and serving from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
After 20 years of dedicated service, including four tours in Vietnam and being awarded three Purple Hearts, O’Neal retired in November of 1976.
But O’Neal’s service to our country did not end once he retired. He became a fierce advocate on behalf of his fellow veterans, assisting local veterans with the help of his beloved wife, Mary.
Mr. Speaker, O’Neal was one of our greatest American soldiers and patriots, and he was also a loving husband and a faithful friend to many including me.
We are forever indebted to him and other American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who dedicate their lives to defend our freedom, secure our homeland, and protect our democracy”, said Rep. Hudson (source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov/).