Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Henry. Petithory Hometown

Private First Class of the A Company 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division died in battle on Monday, Sept. 29, 2003 in Shkin Afghanistan. Evan lived his life in accordance to the motto of the 1st Battalion 87th Infantry Regiment, "To the Top - All The Way." Evan is survived by his parents, Michael and Barbara (Murphy) O'Neill of Haverhill; fiancee, Sarah Ferrick of Plaistow; brother, Michael O'Neill of Virginia; sister, Sarah O'Neill; godfather, Thomas Connolly of Andover and several cousins, aunts and uncle. Family and friends may call on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 8 at the Dewhirst and Conte Funeral Home, 17 Third Street, NORTH ANDOVER, MA 01845. A Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, 1:00 at the Ridgewood Cemetery in North Andover.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Evan W. O'Neill Memorial Fund, c/o Banknorth, Attn: Jayne Gorrie, 61 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810.

Published in The Boston Globe on October 4, 2003

Pfc Evan W. O'Neill April 16, 1984 - September 29, 2003 Private First Class Evan William O'Neill of the A Company 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, died in battle on Monday, Sept. 29, 2003 in Shkin, Afghanistan. PFC O'Neill lived in North Andover for the first four years of his life and then moved to Haverhill. He attended Haverhill elementary schools and graduated from Whittier Vocational Technical School in Haverhill in 2002. While at Whittier, he was very active with the local Army recruiting office and was even called "Private O'Neill" before officially being old enough to join the Army. O'Neill majored in automotive repair and was on the United Nations Debating Team. Family members said he received numerous academic and other activity awards. He was known as a strong and forceful competitor. O'Neill followed his dream of becoming a third-generation Army soldier. He graduated from Army Infantry Basic Training at Fort Benning, Ga., and he successfully completed Army Jump School, earning his "Silver Wings." He has received several military awards including the National Defense Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, Expert with the M16 Riffle Qualifier and Expert Infantryman Badge, an award O'Neill was said to be very proud of, as only 10 percent of all applicants accomplish this, and a soldier must first be recommended before attempting to achieve this level. He also received the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with "V" Device for Valor. The motto of the 1st Battalion 87th Infantry Regiment, "To the Top, All the Way," was his motto, according to family members. Members of his family include his parents, Andover Fire Lt. Michael and Barbara (Murphy) O'Neill of Haverhill; fiancee, Sarah Ferrick of Plaistow, N.H.; brother, Michael O'Neill of Virginia; sister, Sarah O'Neill; godfather, Thomas Connolly of Andover; and several cousins aunts and uncles. A graveside funeral service will be held today, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 at 1 p.m. in Ridgewood Cemetery, North Andover. Memorial contributions may be made to the Evan W. O'Neill Memorial Fund, c/o Banknorth, Attn: Jayne Gorrie, 61 Main St., Andover, 01810. Arrangements were by Dewhirst & Conte Funeral Home, 17 Third St., North Andover PSALM 23 THE Lord is my shepard; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in the green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. To submit your personal condolences. arrange an interactive bouquet of flowers click the link below. A bunch of us plan to make quilts for the veterans in the area and by adding a link to my son's site may help get the word out? Thanks, Barbara O'Neill Mail to: ToTheTopProject@yahoogroups.com

Soldier killed, three others wounded in fight with al Qaeda

O'Neill