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Personal info

Full name
O'BRIEN, Terence Michael "Terry"
Date of birth
25 August 1912
Age
32
Place of birth
Davenport, Scott County, Iowa
Hometown
Iowa

Military service

Service number
O1016163
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Company Commander
Unit
C Company,
7th Armored Infantry Battalion,
8th Armored Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
3 March 1945
Place of death
Wachtendonk, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
E 11 20

Immediate family

Members
Michael J. O'Brien (father)
Mary I. (Mohrmann) O'Brien (mother)
Francis J. O'Brien (brother)
Raymond T. O'Brien (brother)
Vincent K. O'Brien (brother)

More information

Terence M. O'Brien graduated from Davenport High School where he was a cadet colonel in the R.O.T.C. He attended St. Ambrose College and attended the University of Iowa where he received a M.A. degree.

He enlisted on 29 August 1942 and graduated from Officers Candidate School at Fort Knox.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation cited: 3 March 1945, Lt O'Brien, assigned as Company Commander, led his company while street fighting in an enemy-held town. Without regard for his own safety he constantly exposed himself to enemy fire as he led his unit. While thus leading the action he was wounded by machine gun fire, but refused to be removed to a place of safety and he continued to direct and encourage his men. A short time later the machine gun again opened fire, instantly killing Lt O'Brien.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.8th-armored.org, 8th Armored Division “The Thundering Herd” Unit History After Action Report, www.ancestry.com - Glowacki Family Tree / Birth Index

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.ancestry.com - Glowacki Family Tree, www.newspapers.com - The Daily Times of Davenport, www.ancestry.com - Davenport High School Yearbook 1934