Under a barrage of machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades, [Brendan] O’Connor crawled across an open field with an orange target identifier on his back to mark the enemy and prevent aircraft friendly fire from hitting him. Once he reached the soldiers, O’Connor provided medical care and fought off the enemy.
He then carried the wounded back through the rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire, using his body armor to protect his comrades. He brought them to safety, but his mission was not complete. By the end of the battle, O’Connor had successfully rescued two comrades, saved the lives of 21 soldiers, prevented his team’s destruction, and sadly, mourned the loss of Master Sgt. Tom Maholic.
For his valor under fire, O’Connor was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
On this 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and the commemoration of Veterans Day, we honor veterans like O’Connor who have kept so many safe.
Today, our “most seasoned” living veterans are the ones who served in World War II. They are the ones who fought in Europe and the Pacific to throw back tyrants and liberate hundreds of millions. Men like my grandfather, Private 1st Class Alex Sapien.
Others defended our interests in the mountains of Korea and in — or over — the jungles of Vietnam; men like friend and mentor Brig. Gen. (retired) Harry Mott; my father Lt. Col. (retired) Chuck Howe; and my father-in-law Chief Warrant Officer 3 (retired) Rick Emmart. Still, other veterans served during the long vigil of the Cold War through Desert Storm….
MSG Brendan O'Connor – Someone U Shd Know https://t.co/r3FOUKPeRN #veteransday 'The Distinguished service cross is the nation's 2nd highest award 4 valor (after the Medal of Honor) and this was only the 2nd time since the Vietnam War that the medal was awarded' Wiki #veteransday pic.twitter.com/wM3SzFbubH
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) November 12, 2018