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Pfc Ronald A. McNeil was the third of seven sons of Bernard Owen and Annie Cecelia McNeil. Ronald’s father died when he was seven years old – the four younger boys were placed in an orphanage. The older boys went to work so Ronald only completed a few years of school before going to work in the paper mills along with Owen.

Before the war, two of Ronald’s brothers died – Kenton (12) drowned in the lake at Bryan Park (roller skating on the ice) and Bernard died from an asthma attack.

Ronald, Fred and Maurice served in military during WWII – Ronald and Freddie in the European arena; Maurice in the Pacific.

Ronald was into weight-lifting, body-building. He fashioned himself a boxer.

He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Richmond Virginia on 19 October 1942. He enlisted in the paratroopers probably because the pay was better than regular Army. He continued to support his mother.

He participated in the invasion of Normandy.

He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for the first time for wounds received on 6 June 1944.