- George H. O'Brien, Jr.
Infobox Military Person
name= George Herman O'Brien, Jr.
born= birth date|1926|9|10
died= Death date and age|2005|3|11|1926|9|10
placeofbirth=Fort Worth, Texas
placeofdeath=Midland, Texas
placeofburial=
caption= George H. O'Brien, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1949-
rank= Major
commands=
unit= 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines
battles=Korean War
awards=Medal of Honor Purple Heart (x2)
laterwork= Petroleum geologistGeorge H. O’Brien, Jr. (September 10, 1926 – March 11, 2005) was a
United States Marine Corps officer who was awarded theMedal of Honor , theUnited States 's highest military decoration, for conspicuous gallantry as a second lieutenant for spearheading the capture of an enemy-held hill while wounded by enemy fire during theKorean War . He was decorated by PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower during aWhite House ceremony on October 27, 1953, exactly one year to the day after the heroic action for which he was cited.Biography
George Herman O’Brien, Jr. was born on September 10, 1926 in
Fort Worth, Texas . He graduated from high school inBig Spring, Texas in 1944. From December 1944 until May 1946, he was a seaman in theUnited States Merchant Marine . He then entered Texas Technological College (nowTexas Tech University ) where he received aBachelor of Science degree inGeology in May 1950. While in college, he enlisted as a private in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in July 1949.Ordered to active duty on November 27, 1951, he entered the Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia. He completed that course in February 1952, and entered the Basic Course the following month, graduating in August 1952. After further training at Camp Pendleton, California, he embarked for
Korea in September 1952, where he joined the 1st Marine Division. He was promoted to major in the Reserve in 1963.Major O'Brien died from complications associated with
emphysema andpneumonia on March 11, 2005 inMidland, Texas . He was laid to rest in the Texas State Cemetery inAustin, Texas .Honors
In addition to the Medal of Honor, he held the
Purple Heart with Gold Star in lieu of a second award, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, and the United Nations Service Medal.On April 14, 2005, the Texas State House unanimously passed a House Resolution honoring George H. O'Brien, Jr. [ [http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/HR01065F.HTM Texas State House Resolution — 79(R) HR 1065] , unanimously adopted on April 14, 2005, honoring George H. O'Brien, Jr. (URL accessed on June 3, 2006)] In turn, on April 15, 2005, the Texas State Senate adopted Senate Resolution Number 399, "In Memory of George Herman O'Brien, Jr.", recognizing [ [http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/SR00399F.HTM 79(R) SR 399] , Texas State Senate Resolution Number 399, in Memory of George Herman O'Brien, Jr. (URL accessed on June 3, 2006)]
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
SECOND LIEUTENANT GEORGE H. O'BRIEN, JR. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Rifle Platoon Commander of Company H, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on
/S/ DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER27 October 1952 . With his platoon subjected to an intense mortar and artillery bombardment while preparing to assault a vitally important hill position on the main line of resistance which had been overrun by a numerically superior enemy force on the preceding night, Second Lieutenant O'Brien leaped from his trench when the attack signal was given and, shouting for his men to follow raced across an exposed saddle and up the enemy-held hill through a virtual hail of deadly small-arms,artillery and weapon fire. Although shot through the arm and thrown to the ground by hostile automatic-weapons fire as he neared the well-entrenched enemy position, he bravely regained his feet, waved his men onward and continued to spearhead the assault, pausing only long enough to go to the aid of a wounded Marine. Encountering the enemy at close range, he proceeded to hurlhand grenade s into thebunker s and, utilizing hiscarbine to best advantage in savagehand-to-hand combat , succeeded in killing at least three of the enemy. Struck down by the concussion of grenades on three occasions during the subsequent action, he steadfastly refused to be evacuated for medical treatment and continued to lead his platoon in the assault for a period of nearly four hours, repeatedly encouraging his men and maintaining superb direction of the unit. With the attack halted, he set up a defense with his remaining forces to prepare for a counterattack, personally checking each position, attending to the wounded and expediting their evacuation. When a relief of the position was effected by another unit, he remained to cover the withdrawal and to assure that no wounded were left behind. By his exceptionally daring and forceful leadership in the face of overwhelming odds, Second Lieutenant O'Brien served as a constant source of inspiration to all who observed him and was greatly instrumental in the recapture of a strategic position on the main line of resistance. His indomitable determination and valiant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.Quotes
*"This Medal of Honor is not mine; I hold it in trust for so many young people who didn't become grandfathers." [Phalen, Lane. [http://www.medalofhonor.com/GeorgeHOBrien.htm "Putting His Men First"] , "Into the Fray". (Retrieved from MedalofHonor.com on June 3, 2006) ] — George H. O'Brien, Jr.
ee also
*
List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients Notes
References
:Marine Corps
* [http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Historical/Whos_Who/OBrien_GH.htm Major George H. O’Brien, Jr., USMCR] , "Who's Who in Marine Corps History", History Division, United States Marine Corps.
* [http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/0000033ba9f47a7385255fa4005fa14a?OpenDocument 2dLt George H. O'Brien, Jr., Medal of Honor, 1952, 3/7/1, Korea] , Medal of Honor citation.External links
*Goldstein, Richard. [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50715FB35580C728EDDAA0894DD404482&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fK%2fKorean%20War "George H. O'Brien Jr., 78, Marine Awarded Medal of Honor, Dies"] , "
New York Times ", March 21, 2005.Persondata
NAME= Obrien, George H., Jr.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
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