World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Patrick Ray O'Brien
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Springfield, Illinois
Honored By
Ms. Kate O'Brien Hamoush
Relationship
Daughter
SERVED IN THE NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN. ALSO SERVED IN ITALY AND FRANCE. TOTAL TOUR OF DUTY WAS THREE YEARS. MAINTAINED AIRPLANES AS MECHANIC AND OCCASIONALLY FLEW IF NEEDED. DEVELOPED MALARIA WHILE IN AFRICA AND WAS HIT WITH A GERMAN FLAME THROWER AS WELL AS BEING SHOT, YET DID NOT RECEIVE A PURPLE HEART.