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George Francis O’Brien, Jr., was born on 3 Feb 1929 in Madison,
WI, to George and Gretchen O’Brien. He grew up in Brainerd, MN, and graduated
from Saint Francis School in Brainerd and Saint John’s Preparatory school in
Collegeville, MN. In high school and prep school he played football, was a cross
country skier and a Boy Scout leader.
Then it was off to West Point. George enjoyed his time at the
Academy, was active in cross country skiing and the study of the French language
and culture, which proved very useful in later assignments. It also acquainted
his roommates with the renowned French singer, Edith Piaf, whose voice was often
heard coming from their room. He was an avid reader, especially of military
history. The highlight of his West Point years, however, was meeting his future
wife on a blind date. Marion Linton, sister of classmate Bob Linton (E-2),
became his bride in June 1954.
George selected Field Artillery as his branch and, after
completion of the Artillery Basic Officer Course at Ft. Sill, went to Ranger
School and received his Ranger Tab. Assignments included tours stateside and in
Europe, Viet Nam and Korea. In Viet Nam (1963–64) he served with Military
Assistance Advisory Group, 7th Division, 31st Tactical Force, Tien Giang, Mekong
Delta. In Korea (1970–71) he served with Headquarters, Division Artillery,
at Ku Jon Ni. The most memorable tour for the family was with the NATO Weapons
Department, USAEUR, in Oberammergau, Germany. It was a great assignment for
George and the whole family. Many lifelong friendships were formed with both
American and allied families. He received a master’s degree in administration
(management engineering) from George Washington University and was a graduate of
the Army Command & General Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed
Services and the Defense Language Institute.
George was a dedicated family man, always trying to minimize the
trauma on his wife and family of moving from one assignment to another. When
preparing for a move, he would find out as much as he could learn about
the next assignment, and by giving the high points to his family he hoped to
alleviate the loss of friends and familiar environment. Marion and he were
blessed with five children. Marie, their first child, tragically died shortly
after birth. Kathleen, Carol, Barbara and Richard joined the family at different
locations in Europe and the United States. Kathleen died in 2009. She and her
husband ran a small business; Carol teaches school; Barbara is an accountant;
and Richard is an engineer. There are seven grandchildren, two boys and five
girls.
George retired in 1974 as a lieutenant colonel and returned to
the Brainerd area with his family. They built a home on Clearwater Lake, and
George was active with the Bay Lake Township Board and the County Association.
He was a member of Saint Andrew’s Catholic Church, the American Legion Post 295,
and VFW Post 1847 in Brainerd. He received many awards, including the Bronze
Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge. George had many medical problems that
plagued him after retirement, but despite his limitations, he never complained
or lost his sense of humor. George died on 16 Aug 2001 at Saint Joseph’s Medical
Center in Brainerd and was buried in Baxter Cemetery. Military honors were
provided by the American Legion Post. He is survived by his wife, three
children, seven grandchildren, two brothers and one sister.
When going through his things after his death, Marion found an
old newspaper clipping in his wallet. It was yellow with age and falling apart.
It was a copy of the poem “Myself” by Edgar Guest. Marion feels it fit George to
a T.
I have to live with myself, and so,
I want to be fit for myself to know;
I want to be able as days go by,
always to look myself in the eye.
I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf,
a lot of secrets about myself
And fool myself as I come and go,
into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of man I really am.
I don’t want to dress myself up in sham,
I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men’s respect.
But here in this struggle for fame and pelf,
I want to be able to like myself.
I don’t want to think as I come and go,
that I’m
bluster and bluff and empty show.
I never can hide myself from me.
I see what others may never see.
I know what others may never know.
I can never fool myself, and so
Whatever happens, I want to be
self respecting and conscience free.
— Louis R. Mentillo ’54
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