World War II Honoree

Joseph M. O'Brian

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Walnut Grove, North Carolina

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. SERVED IN EUROPE AS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR B-COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 401ST GLIDER INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY TUESDAY, D-DAY JUNE 6, 1944, THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, CODE NAME: OPERATION OVERLORD. HIS REGIMENT WAS HELD IN RESERVE AND WENT INTO BATTLE WITH THE 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION, GOING ASHORE ON UTAH BEACH. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION WEDNESDAY JUNE 7, 1944 IN THE VICINITY OF ST. COME-DU-MONT AND WAS BURIED IN THE NORMANDY ST. MARTIN-DE-VARREVILLE BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY IN NORTH CAROLINA, WITH INTERMENT IN A PRIVATE CEMETERY.