SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 399


In Memory

of

George Herman O'Brien, Jr.


	WHEREAS, In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln approved 
legislation which authorized the preparation of 2,000 Medals of 
Honor to "be presented, in the name of the Congress, to such 
noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish 
themselves by their gallantry in action and other soldier-like 
qualities"; and

	WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest 
military award for valor and gallantry beyond the call of duty 
against an enemy force; since President Lincoln approved the 
award, there have been 3,459 recipients of the Medal of Honor; 
and

	WHEREAS, George Herman O'Brien, Jr., was born in 
Fort Worth, Texas, on September 10, 1926; he grew up in Big Spring 
and graduated from Texas Tech University; he was a resident of 
Midland, Texas, and was a respected leader in the community; and

	WHEREAS, He joined the United States Marine Corps and 
proudly served his country during the Korean War; he was a rifle 
platoon commander in Company H, Third Battalion, Seventh 
Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced); and

	WHEREAS, On October 27, 1952, at The Hook, Korea, 
Second Lieutenant O'Brien faced intense mortar and artillery 
fire while preparing to take a vital strategic position against a 
superior enemy force; and

	WHEREAS, While leading his men into battle, 
Second Lieutenant O'Brien was severely wounded in the arm; he 
continued the assault on the enemy position, however, only 
pausing to aid his fellow wounded Marines; and

	WHEREAS, Upon encountering the enemy at close range, he 
threw hand grenades in their bunkers and utilized hand-to-hand 
combat; despite severe wounds, Second Lieutenant O'Brien refused 
medical treatment and continued to lead his platoon for the next 
four hours; when relief finally arrived, Second Lieutenant 
O'Brien refused to evacuate in order to cover the withdrawal of 
his men and to assure no wounded were left behind; and

	WHEREAS, For Second Lieutenant O'Brien's "conspicuous 
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and 
beyond the call of duty," he was awarded the Medal of Honor; on 
October 27, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented 
George O'Brien the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony; and

	WHEREAS, Major George Herman O'Brien, Jr., passed away in 
Midland, Texas, on March 11, 2005; on March 16, he will be buried 
at the Texas State Cemetery next to Medal of Honor recipient 
James Marion Logan; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
79th Legislature, hereby honor the life and memory of 
Major George Herman O'Brien, Jr., and extend sincere condolences 
to his bereaved family:  his wife, Sandra O'Brien; his daughters 
and sons-in-law, Terrye O'Brien, Ann and Mark Daugherty, and 
Dorothy and Frank Stillwell; his sons and daughters-in-law, 
Mike and Susan O'Brien, Robb O'Brien, and Dick and Jody Holland; 
his brother, Joe O'Brien; and his grandchildren; and, be it 
further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy 
from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this 
day, it do so in the memory of Major George Herman O'Brien, Jr.
                                                                       Wentworth




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 15, 2005, by a 
rising vote.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate