Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Joseph
O’Brien
1909-12-12

–

1982-02-21

Born:

Auburn

, 

New York

Home:

Rochester

, 

New York

Buried: 

Fleming

, 

New York

Cemetery:

Saint Joseph’s Cemetery

The son Auburn, New York Police Captain John L. O’Brien, William O’Brien graduated from Saint Mary’s Catholic Elementary School in 1924, and then Saint Andrews Preparatory School. He then attended Saint Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, New York, graduating in 1935. He was ordained a Catholic priest at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, also in Rochester in June 1935, and entered the Diocese of Rochester. He became pastor of Corpus Christi Church in Rochester from 1935 to 1942, and then entered military service and was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain. After his war-time service he returned to Corpus Christi Church where he served from 1946 to 1955. He then became pastor of Saint Patrick’s Church in Moravia, where he served until his retirement from active ministry in 1968.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    1st Armored Division

    Action Date:

    January 7 – 10, 1944
    Headquarters, 1st Armored Division, General Orders No. 34 (1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) William Joseph O’Brien (ASN: 0-439442), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with the 1st Armored Division, in action at the Anzio Beachhead in Italy, from 7 to 10 January 1944. Chaplain O’Brien organized parties of Italians and civilians into evacuation groups to assisted enlisted personnel in moving the dead to a cemetery. He completely disregarded his own welfare by personally leading his crew into an uncharted mine field while under enemy observations, and through intermittent small arms, mortar, and artillery fire to evacuate personnel to the cemetery. He voluntarily made numerous trips each night o the cemetery to supervise the registering of the bodies. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain O’Brien, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.