Walter "Skip" O'Neil was killed in the line of duty in Viet Nam on July 4, 1968. He was a member of the U.S. Army with a rank of Chief Warrent Officer.
His name is on the Viet Nam Wall panel/row 53 W, 11 .
Thank you for your service Skip. We will never forget you.
Hard to believe 50 years have passed since Skip was killed in action in Viet Nam on July 4, 1968.
I will pause and reflect on July 4, 2018 to remember you as well as the many that have served in the military to protect and preserve our rights to live in the USA. Thank you all !!
21 years of age is too young to die. You made a difference in our lives that we so note. You were a great classmate, friend, brother and son.
May you rest in peace knowing that many of us appreciate your sacrifice.
We salute you Walter James "Skip" O'Neil and your life May 24, 1947 to July 4, 1968
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.
And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind."
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell 1 January 1970 Dak To, Vietnam Listed as KIA February 7, 1978
I knew Skip from our Franklin grammar school days. He was two days older than I was. My aunt, who lived with my family, used to call him "Skipper" which he really didn't like. Skip was a complete gearhead from an early age. He and his older brother Billy could, and did, take apart any engine and put it back together better that new. Skip was the only one of my friends who would invite you to his house to listen to records of engines racing at the winternationals and summernationals drag racing competitions. The day the Avanti car was introduced, Skip knew a dealer near his house and got us a ride in the first one. He was so excited!
We were both home on leave at Christmas time, 1966. We spent a most memorable Christmas Eve together. Skip had his mom's little white convertible. It was a Chevelle, I think. It was a snowy night. I think we got about 6 inches or so. We were both going back to training, he to helicopter school and me to Aviation Electronics school. He teased me saying, not only am I older than you, but I'll be a warrant officer and you will have to salute me when you see me in Nam. We drove around Boston that night. I don't rememberr how, but we decided we would offer rides to people who were walking in the snow. Just to be friendly. I don't recall how many we drove around, but it was a few.
We ended the night at midnight Mass at St. Bernards. He dropped me off afterwards. It was the last time I ever saw him. It was the last time I ever went to church except for funerals and weddings. I was in California, just back from my first tour of Nam, on July 4, 1968. I had no communication with anyone back home except for my parents. They did not call to tell me about Skip because they didn't want to upset me, i guess. I came home on leave in August and that's when I heard. I visit the wall every time I'm DC to visit Skip and other friends.
Walter “Skip” O’Neil lived in my West Newton neighborhood. Often, we’d meet at his house incidentally to going or coming from NHS. He’d smile and greet me from his River Street yard or porch. I didn’t know Skip well, but I grew to like and respect him. He was at all times friendly, courteous and perceptive. He was a model of a young American man. The kind of young man any parent, brother, sister or friend would be very proud of. Fifty years later, I mentioned his name and loss to Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller while I was training for the Boston Marathon Military Relay Race April of this year. See https://patch.com/massachusetts/newton/why-2-military-vets-will-run-only-newtons-stretch-boston-race.
On Marathon Day in all that misery of the worst weather day of the Boston Marathon in 100 years I couldn’t help but think so many Newton veterans and especially Skippy. Had he lived, I think he would have either ran as my teammate or at least cheered me on over the Newton Hills and through the frigid-sheet rains blowing hard out of Boston. Truth be told, he was with me – in spirit – every step of the way because even when my 71-year-old body didn’t want to take another step his smile carried me to the finish.
Skip’s military service and his death was emblematic of chaotic times where millions of us firmly believed we were serving the best interests of our nation; protecting our values of truth, justice and freedoms around the world even if it may cost us our lives. In my view then the United States Government could do no wrong. Yet the Pentagon Papers told a very different story: From the Whitehouse across to Capital Hill our leadership knew they were signing death warrants for a war they had already concluded could never be won. The American people and especially our American soldiers, sailors, airmen and women and Coast Guard had been betrayed. In effect our service and our lives if necessary were on the line not for values we and most Americans cherished, but in fact we were used as pons to get incumbents reelected. By mid-1968, MLK and RFK had joined millions of Americans in strongly opposing the War in Vietnam. Speaking truth to power they too became casualties of factions fueling hate and violence. A torch of hope, love and understanding was snuffed out and our nation would never be the same. At the Vietnam War Memorial, my tears weren’t just for Skip.
I share this as a classmate not to lament but to reflect with you on how we got to such a horrible place and what we can do about it today beyond holding onto a photo and a memory or saying, “thank you for your service”. Like an artist, each of us can draw our own picture of what Skippy’s life means to us. For this American man it means that he should not die in vain. His life and death means something powerful to me and I don’t think I’m alone. That is that some mix of stupidity, ignorance and greed as a nation got us into the War in Vietnam and kept us there for over a decade. Sound familiar?
Well here we are once again today. In 1968 Nixon won by a landslide like what our current Chief now claims. How would our nation and likely our fate be different IF closer to 100% instead of the scant 35% of Americans voted in the last national election – and in practice – all elections? So, my question to myself is how can I be a better person, a better American, a better citizen of planet Earth? I often wrestle with this, but I know the least I can do to honor Skip and 58,000 or so who paid the ultimate price is to always know my candidates and like the day I signed my army enlistment contract in 1966, make a hard choice seeking a better world; always putting the interests and long-term survivability of our nation and our planet ahead of my own. In the 1960’s JFK, MLK, RFK, Skip all had a gunman aim and pull the trigger. Today and as long as I’m around I feel it is my responsibility to reflect on these fifty years and strive to meet JFK’s challenge on what it means to us to be an American. I think Skip would have liked that.
Mary Halloran (Hay)
Walter "Skip" O'Neil was killed in the line of duty in Viet Nam on July 4, 1968. He was a member of the U.S. Army with a rank of Chief Warrent Officer.
His name is on the Viet Nam Wall panel/row 53 W, 11 .
Thank you for your service Skip. We will never forget you.
Richard Ryan
B CO, 101ST AVN BN, 160TH AVN GROUP, 101ST ABN DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
West Newton, Massachusetts
May 24, 1947 to July 04, 1968
WALTER J O'NEIL is on the Wall at Panel W53, Line 11
See the full profile or name rubbing for Walter O'Neil
Hard to believe 50 years have passed since Skip was killed in action in Viet Nam on July 4, 1968.
I will pause and reflect on July 4, 2018 to remember you as well as the many that have served in the military to protect and preserve our rights to live in the USA. Thank you all !!
21 years of age is too young to die. You made a difference in our lives that we so note. You were a great classmate, friend, brother and son.
May you rest in peace knowing that many of us appreciate your sacrifice.
We salute you Walter James "Skip" O'Neil and your life May 24, 1947 to July 4, 1968
*********************************************************************************************
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.
And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind."
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell 1 January 1970 Dak To, Vietnam Listed as KIA February 7, 1978
Mary Halloran (Hay)
Forever in our thoughts. The only hometown boy I ran into in VietNam.
Thank you got your service.
God Bless
Mary and Dave.
C. Robert Harmon
I knew Skip from our Franklin grammar school days. He was two days older than I was. My aunt, who lived with my family, used to call him "Skipper" which he really didn't like. Skip was a complete gearhead from an early age. He and his older brother Billy could, and did, take apart any engine and put it back together better that new. Skip was the only one of my friends who would invite you to his house to listen to records of engines racing at the winternationals and summernationals drag racing competitions. The day the Avanti car was introduced, Skip knew a dealer near his house and got us a ride in the first one. He was so excited!
We were both home on leave at Christmas time, 1966. We spent a most memorable Christmas Eve together. Skip had his mom's little white convertible. It was a Chevelle, I think. It was a snowy night. I think we got about 6 inches or so. We were both going back to training, he to helicopter school and me to Aviation Electronics school. He teased me saying, not only am I older than you, but I'll be a warrant officer and you will have to salute me when you see me in Nam. We drove around Boston that night. I don't rememberr how, but we decided we would offer rides to people who were walking in the snow. Just to be friendly. I don't recall how many we drove around, but it was a few.
We ended the night at midnight Mass at St. Bernards. He dropped me off afterwards. It was the last time I ever saw him. It was the last time I ever went to church except for funerals and weddings. I was in California, just back from my first tour of Nam, on July 4, 1968. I had no communication with anyone back home except for my parents. They did not call to tell me about Skip because they didn't want to upset me, i guess. I came home on leave in August and that's when I heard. I visit the wall every time I'm DC to visit Skip and other friends.
Steven Wightman
A Lasting Tribute to Skippy;Walter “Skip” O’Neil lived in my West Newton neighborhood. Often, we’d meet at his house incidentally to going or coming from NHS. He’d smile and greet me from his River Street yard or porch. I didn’t know Skip well, but I grew to like and respect him. He was at all times friendly, courteous and perceptive. He was a model of a young American man. The kind of young man any parent, brother, sister or friend would be very proud of. Fifty years later, I mentioned his name and loss to Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller while I was training for the Boston Marathon Military Relay Race April of this year.
See https://patch.com/massachusetts/newton/why-2-military-vets-will-run-only-newtons-stretch-boston-race.
On Marathon Day in all that misery of the worst weather day of the Boston Marathon in 100 years I couldn’t help but think so many Newton veterans and especially Skippy. Had he lived, I think he would have either ran as my teammate or at least cheered me on over the Newton Hills and through the frigid-sheet rains blowing hard out of Boston. Truth be told, he was with me – in spirit – every step of the way because even when my 71-year-old body didn’t want to take another step his smile carried me to the finish.
Skip’s military service and his death was emblematic of chaotic times where millions of us firmly believed we were serving the best interests of our nation; protecting our values of truth, justice and freedoms around the world even if it may cost us our lives. In my view then the United States Government could do no wrong. Yet the Pentagon Papers told a very different story: From the Whitehouse across to Capital Hill our leadership knew they were signing death warrants for a war they had already concluded could never be won. The American people and especially our American soldiers, sailors, airmen and women and Coast Guard had been betrayed. In effect our service and our lives if necessary were on the line not for values we and most Americans cherished, but in fact we were used as pons to get incumbents reelected. By mid-1968, MLK and RFK had joined millions of Americans in strongly opposing the War in Vietnam. Speaking truth to power they too became casualties of factions fueling hate and violence. A torch of hope, love and understanding was snuffed out and our nation would never be the same. At the Vietnam War Memorial, my tears weren’t just for Skip.
I share this as a classmate not to lament but to reflect with you on how we got to such a horrible place and what we can do about it today beyond holding onto a photo and a memory or saying, “thank you for your service”. Like an artist, each of us can draw our own picture of what Skippy’s life means to us. For this American man it means that he should not die in vain. His life and death means something powerful to me and I don’t think I’m alone. That is that some mix of stupidity, ignorance and greed as a nation got us into the War in Vietnam and kept us there for over a decade. Sound familiar?
Well here we are once again today. In 1968 Nixon won by a landslide like what our current Chief now claims. How would our nation and likely our fate be different IF closer to 100% instead of the scant 35% of Americans voted in the last national election – and in practice – all elections? So, my question to myself is how can I be a better person, a better American, a better citizen of planet Earth? I often wrestle with this, but I know the least I can do to honor Skip and 58,000 or so who paid the ultimate price is to always know my candidates and like the day I signed my army enlistment contract in 1966, make a hard choice seeking a better world; always putting the interests and long-term survivability of our nation and our planet ahead of my own. In the 1960’s JFK, MLK, RFK, Skip all had a gunman aim and pull the trigger. Today and as long as I’m around I feel it is my responsibility to reflect on these fifty years and strive to meet JFK’s challenge on what it means to us to be an American. I think Skip would have liked that.