James O'Neill - Kilsyth Soldier served in US Army - WW1

[Corpsman]

Hello Folks,
I have over the past twelve months been researching the war dead from a war memorial on a voluntary basis. I have almost identified all the soldiers and spent countless hours searching all the Commonwealth services to find the soldier named - James O'Neill.
Alas, a breakthrough when I have came across a draft card for the man, his date of birth is out by one year, however, the day and month are exact, too much of a coincidence, only one other James O'Neill born years earlier in Kilsyth.
If anyone is able to give some advice on how to obtain a copy of the soldiers record or other information while he was in the US it would be appreciated. I have attached a copy of his draft card.
Many thanks - Paul

Moderator:  Attachment removed due to copyright issues.  Link to draft registration card - https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-25974-28995-95?cc=1968530

[shellyesq]

There is information about ordering military records here:  http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/  There is a fee involved.  Also note that, unfortunately, a fire destroyed many records from that time frame.  http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html

This may be a possible passenger list entry for this James:  https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/23XD-5W1  It looks like his father was in Kilsyth, although his name is hard to read.  There is a second page indicating that he was going to join a sister in Massachusetts.  You may want to check if any of that fits with the information from Scotland.

[Corpsman]

Thanks Shellyesq,

This is definitely the man I have been looking for and also narrows down his military details, I am not very knowledgeable on the copyright rules, thanks for removing.

I believe the soldier to be - James O'Neill Private, U.S. Army 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division
Entered the Service From: Massachusetts, Date of Death: October 06, 1918

There is only one other option  James O'Neill Private, U.S. Army 316th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, Entered the Service From: Pennsylvania , Date of Death: September 26, 1918

Due to James landing in Boston and sister living in Brighton, I would say Massachusetts would be the best option.

If anyone can help establish his army number through any resources this would allow me to make a record request or look up.
Kind regards, Paul

[shellyesq]

The book Soldiers of the Great War, which lists the American WWI dead, has 6 different men named James O'Neil/O'Neill.  One of them is James O'Neil of Brighton, Massachusetts.

[Corpsman]

Thank you Shelly