Samuel Porter McNeal

Boot camp at Parris Island with Second Recruit Battalion. Retained at depot as drill instructor; duty there through August 1943. Advanced in rank to sergeant during this time.

Joined Charlie Company, First Battalion,24th Marines at Camp Pendleton on 1 September 1943.

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 653 (Squad Leader)

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines (Third Platoon)
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 745 (Rifleman) – serving as platoon guide
Important Events:
July 2, 1944 – wounded in action (cause unknown) while leading patrol against fortified position; evacuated to a field hospital.

Awarded Silver Star Medal for actions on this date:

When our advance was held up while he was in charge of a patrol with the mission of maintaining contact with friendly troops on the left flank, Sergeant McNeal obtained permission to push forward with his patrol to investigate a large hill containing numerous caves from which fire was being directed at adjacent units and, boldly disregarding heavy enemy fire, led his men to the hill and eliminated an enemy machine gun position. Although painfully wounded in this action, Sergeant McNeal succeeded in bringing his patrol back to our lines. His courage, determination, and zealous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

(A discrepancy must be noted here. McNeal’s Silver Star citation states that the action occurred on 3 July 1944, and that he was wounded at that time. However, multiple sources (Casualty Card and unit muster rolls) state that McNeal was evacuated on 2 July 1944, and the description of the fortified hill on the left flank matches events in the battalion report for 2 July, as well.  See narrative for details.)

July 13, 1944 – returned to duty

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines (Third Platoon)
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 745 (Rifleman) – serving as platoon guide
Important Events:
July 29, 1944 – wounded in action (cause not known); evacuated to unknown destination.

Date returned to duty unknown; present on muster rolls again in August 1944.

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Platoon Sergeant
MOS: 737 (Rifle squad leader)
Important Events:
February 23, 1945 – killed in action (shrapnel wounds, head and face) while attacking fortified strong point.

Awarded second Silver Star Medal for actions on this date:

With his platoon unable to advance under the enemy’s intense mortar, machine-gun and rifle fire, Platoon Sergeant McNeal personally directed return mortar fire upon the hostile installations from an exposed position. Determined not to risk the lives of numerous men in attacking the position, he employed the weapons of his platoon for covering fire and, advancing alone with hand grenades and a rifle, personally destroyed the Japanese strong point. Although mortally wounded during this action, Platoon Sergeant McNeal, by his valiant leadership, unwavering devotion to duty and indomitable fighting spirit during a critical stage of the battle, had enabled his platoon to seize the vital high ground in their sector with a minimum of casualties and his courageous conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Campaign Narrative