The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
O'BRIEN, GEORGE H., JR.
Rank and
organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company H, 3d
Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Korea,
27 October, 1952. Entered service at: Big Spring, Tex. Born:
10 September 1926, Fort Worth, Tex.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a rifle platoon commander of
Company H, in action against enemy aggressor forces. With his platoon subjected to an
intense mortar and artillery bombardment while preparing to assault a vitally important
hill position on the main line of resistance which had been overrun by a numerically
superior enemy force on the preceding night, 2d Lt. O'Brien leaped from his trench when
the attack signal was given and, shouting for his men to follow, raced across an exposed
saddle and up the enemy-held hill through a virtual hail of deadly small-arms, artillery,
and mortar fire. Although shot through the arm and thrown to the ground by hostile
automatic-weapons fire as he neared the well-entrenched enemy position, he bravely
regained his feet, waved his men onward, and continued to spearhead the assault, pausing
only long enough to go to the aid of a wounded marine. Encountering the enemy at close
range, he proceeded to hurl handgrenades into the bunkers and, utilizing his carbine to
best advantage in savage hand-to-hand combat, succeeded in killing at least 3 of the
enemy. Struck down by the concussion of grenades on 3 occasions during the subsequent
action, he steadfastly refused to be evacuated for medical treatment and continued to lead
his platoon in the assault for a period of nearly 4 hours, repeatedly encouraging his men
and maintaining superb direction of the unit. With the attack halted he set up a defense
with his remaining forces to prepare for a counterattack, personally checking each
position, attending to the wounded and expediting their evacuation. When a relief of the
position was effected by another unit, he remained to cover the withdrawal and to assure
that no wounded were left behind. By his exceptionally daring and forceful leadership in
the face of overwhelming odds, 2d Lt. O'Brien served as a constant source of inspiration
to all who observed him and was greatly instrumental in the recapture of a strategic
position on the main line of resistance. His indomitable determination and valiant
fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service.
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