![]() Peter's Cemetery & MarkerStriding up and down the lines, he fired at the enemy with a pistol in each hand and his presence there bolstered the spirits of the men, encouraged them in their fight and sustained them in their heroic stand. O'Brien refused to leave the front lines.ģ. With many casualties and ammunition running low, Lt. With bloody hand-to-hand fighting in progress everywhere, their forward positions were finally overrun by the sheer weight of the enemy numbers. ![]() On 7 July 1944 his battalion and another battalion were attacked by an overwhelming enemy force estimated at between 3,000 and 5,000 Japanese. O'Brien then organized the 2 platoons for night defense and against repeated counterattacks directed them. In this action he captured 5 machineguns and one 77-mm. Leaving some men to contain the enemy he personally led 4 men into a narrow ravine behind, and killed or drove off all the Japanese manning that strongpoint. O'Brien crossed 1,200 yards of sniper-infested underbrush alone to arrive at a point where 1 of his platoons was being held up by the enemy. He personally took control of the maneuver. O'Brien arranged to capture the ridge by a double envelopment movement of 2 large combat battalions. On 28 June 1944, while his platoon was attempting to take a bitterly defended high ridge in the vicinity of Donnay, Lt. O'Brien personally directed the assault until the enemy strongpoint had been liquidated. Peter's Cemetery Marker, Oakwood Ave.on the tank with his pistol butt to attract 2 of the tank's crew and, mounting the tank fully exposed to enemy fire, Lt. O'Brien, with complete disregard for his own safety, dashed into full view of the enemy and ran to the leader's tank, and poundedĢ. Due to direct enemy fire the tanks' turrets were closed, causing the tanks to lose direction and to fire into our own troops. O'Brien ordered 3 tanks to precede the assault companies in an attempt to knock out the strongpoint. When assault elements of his platoon were held up by intense enemy fire, Lt. Place and date: At Saipan, Marianas Islands, 20 June through 7 July 1944Ĭitation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Saipan, Marianas Islands, from 20 June through 7 July 1944.Army, 1st Battalion, 105th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S.Touch for a list and map of all markers in Troy. 0.3 miles away) Historic Oakwood Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away) Major General John Ellis Wool (approx. 0.2 miles away) Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel & Crematorium Paid Advertisement George Henry Thomas (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line) Warren Family Mortuary Chapel: 1861 (about 600 feet away) Third Street Burial Grounds, 1824 (about 700 feet away) William Henry Freeman (approx. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marker is in this post office area: Troy NY 12182, United States of America. Marker is on Oakwood Ave., on the right when traveling north. Marker is in Troy, New York, in Rensselaer County. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites It is in Troy in Rensselaer County New York Burial Site of Medal of Honor Recp.Įrected by Rensselaer County Veterans Organization. This historical marker was erected by Rensselaer County Veterans Organization.
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