George H. O'Brien, Jr., Class of 1944

George H. O'Brien, Jr.
Sept. 10, 1926 - March 11, 2005
BSHS Class of 1944

The passing of this BSHS graduate has attracted more attention than most have done, as he was awarded a Medal of Honor for service in Korea. There are now only 127 holders of this medal living. Another was announced on March 29, 2005 for a Sgt. First Class Paul R. Smith, killed in Iraq in 2003 (the first to be awarded since 9-11-2001).

Follow the links below to view obituaries from several newspapers around the country, to read George's citation, and to se some pictures that show some information about the Medal of Honor

Big Spring Herald Obituary

Texas State Cemetery in Austin

Citation Text

The records and artifacts regarding Medal of Honor recipients are kept by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.	The current form of the Navy Medal of Honor (since 1942)	George's original citation

Moored permanently at Patriot's Point off Charleston S.C., the USS Yorktown CV-10 is today a museum which is headquarters for the Medal of Honor Association. The names of all Medal of Honor recipients are engraved in a stainless steel wall, pictured below. .Lane Bond took the pictures of the carrier and of the steel wall in 2003 while visiting this revered site.

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company H, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea, 27 October, 1952. Entered service at: Big Spring, Tex. Born: 10 September 1926, Fort Worth, Tex. 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, in action against enemy aggressor forces. 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, 2d Lt. 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 mortar 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 hurl hand grenades into the bunkers and, utilizing his carbine to best advantage in savage hand-to-hand combat, succeeded in killing at least 3 of the enemy. Struck down by the concussion of grenades on 3 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 4 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, 2d Lt. 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 U.S. Naval Service.