Texas Medal of Honor Memorial sculpture by Doyle Glass bronze sculptor

2d Lt. George H. O’Brien, Jr.
Medal of Honor recipient

The Texas Medal of Honor Memorial
2d Lt. George H. O’Brien, Jr.
Medal of Honor recipient

George H. O’Brien, Jr., makes it clear: “This Medal of Honor is not mine; I hold it in trust for so many young people who didn’t become grandfathers.”
Nominated for the medal by many of his men, O’Brien received it for his actions during a battle on Oct. 27, 1952. A second lieutenant at the time, he was a platoon leader with the Marine Corps Reserve, Company H, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced).
Suddenly, he and his men found themselves coming under an intense mortar and artillery bombardment while preparing to assault a vitally important hill position on the main line of resistance (MLR). The enemy, with a numerically superior force, had overrun the MLR the night before.
When the attack signal was given, O’Brien leaped from his trench, shouting for his men to follow. Exposed to enemy fire, he ran across and up the enemy-held hill through a hail of deadly small-arms, artillery and mortar fire. Shot in the arm, the Fort Worth, Tex., native continued to crawl near the well-entrenched enemy position. He stood and waved his men onward, pausing just long enough to help a wounded marine.
Closing on the enemy, O’Brien used hand grenades and his carbine with deadly effectiveness, killing at least three of them. Wounded himself by grenades on three occasions, he refused to be evacuated for medical treatment. His platoon was his main concern. For nearly four hours, O’Brien continued to lead and encourage his men.
When the attack finally halted, he quickly set up a defense with his remaining men, and prepared for a counterattack, all the while tending to the wounded and expediting their evacuation. Relief troops arrived to man the position, but O’Brien remained to cover the evacuation to ensure no wounded were left behind. A constant source of inspiration to all who observed him, O’Brien was instrumental in the recapture of a strategic position on the MLR.
Though not a POW himself, O’Brien accompanied the first American POWs to return to the United States. On the trip, he interrogated returning Marines. After getting home, he sought to return to the life he had left and set up a business he still works today. O’Brien enjoys his growing family that includes 13 grandchildren. Reflecting back, he said, “The Lord has been awfully good to me.”

The sculptor's son, Jake,
with Medal of Honor recipient
George O'Brien in Midland, Texas.

Texas Medal of Honor Memorial sculpture by Doyle Glass Bronze Medal of Honor Sculpture by Doyle Glass

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