World War II Honoree

Hugh 'Krampe' O'Brian

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Rochester, New York

Honored By

Cindy Scott

Relationship

HOBY ambassador

AT AGE 17, ENLISTED IN THE MARINE CORPS IN FEBRUARY 1943. HE ATTENDED BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA PLATOON 402 AND WAS NAMED 'HONOR MAN' OF THE PLATOON. RIGHT OUT OF BOOT CAMP, HE BECAME THE YOUNGEST DRILL INSTRUCTOR IN MARINE CORPS HISTORY IN APRIL 1943 AND TOOK PLATOONS 704, 1038 AND 1071 THROUGH BOOT CAMP. HE REQUESTED A 'LINE COMPANY', WAS SENT TO TANK SCHOOL AND ASSIGNED TO THE 5TH TANK BATTALION, 5TH MARINE DIVISION, ALISO CANYON, CAMP PENDLETON. HE WAS NEXT SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE 5TH MARINE DIVISION WITH A FLEET APPOINTMENT TO THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY AND WAS SENT TO NAVAL ACADEMY PREP SCHOOL, BAINBRIDGE, MARYLAND TO PREPARE FOR AND COMPLETE ENTRANCE EXAMS. HE DECLINED THIS PRESTIGIOUS APPOINTMENT AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED AT THE RANK OF SERGEANT AFTER SERVING HIS 4 YEAR HITCH.