George H. O'Brien Jr.

He led his platoon up a defended hill despite serious wounds

George Herman O'Brien Jr. was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on 10 September 1926 and graduated from high school in Big Spring in 1944. He served in the United States Merchant Marine from December 1944 until May 1946. Returning to education, he studied geology at Texas Technological College and graduated in 1950. While a student he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Called to active duty in November 1951, O'Brien completed officer training at Quantico and further preparation at Camp Pendleton. He reached Korea in September 1952 and joined Company H, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines.

On 27 October, Second Lieutenant O'Brien led his rifle platoon against a strongly defended hill at the Hook. Although wounded, he continued leading the assault. He paused to help an injured Marine, then attacked enemy bunkers with grenades and fought at close quarters with his carbine. His example helped his men gain the position. He continued directing the platoon and assisting the wounded, refusing to leave until the immediate task had been completed.

O'Brien recovered and returned to combat, where he was wounded again. President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented his Medal of Honor on 27 October 1953, exactly a year after the action. He continued in the Marine Corps Reserve, reaching major in 1963.

In civilian life he worked in the Texas oil industry, combining his geology training with a career in the Midland area. He remained associated with veterans and Medal of Honor activities. O'Brien died at Midland on 11 March 2005, aged seventy-eight, and was buried in the Texas State Cemetery at Austin. His service spanned the wartime Merchant Marine, the Korean fighting and later reserve duty.