In Memoriam...  Martin J. O'Brien, LR12697... June 28, 2006

My Friends, I have just learned that our friend, a Great American and a great member of our organization, Marty O’Brien passed away yesterday, June 28. This is a great loss to me personally, and an even greater loss to the KWVA and the Membership.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta on July 26 at 1 p.m.

Our hearts and prayers go to Helene Simonne and the family. I have asked Director Jeff Brodeur and Chairman Stephen Szekely to make themselves available to the family and to represent the KWVA and myself.

Lou Dechert,
President KWVA/USA

Read More, Special President's Update Message>>

(Posted 6/29/06)


The following is from the print edition of The Kennebec Journal, July 4, 2006. ( 060628_obrien_martin.pdf )

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Martin J. "Marty" O'Brien
AUGUSTA -- Martin J. O'Brien, 76, died on Wednesday, June 28, at Maine Medical Center in Portland as a result of heart complications.

He was born in Boston on April 2, 1930, the son of Martin (Matt) O'Brien and Ellen (Ellie) O'Brien.

He graduated from Boston English School in 1947 and from Bliss College in 1958. He attended the University of Maine (Extension from 1959 to 1960).

He joined the regular Army, 1st Cavalry Division (Armor), in 1948. He served in Japan from 1949 to 1950, and served honorably in the Korean War from 1950 to 1951.

After the war, he transferred to the Continental U.S. HQ 1st Army until 1952, and served in Germany with the 17th Signal Battalion until 1953. In 1955 he joined the active Army Reserve, and in 1965 he joined the active Naval Reserve until 1974. Martin was the recipient of many medals and citations, too numerous to mention, for his dedication and devotion to his country.

As a civilian, Marty worked for the U.S. government for the Department of the Army from 1957-65, and the Department of the Treasury until 1974.

He then moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for the Department of Energy until his retirement in 1985. Upon retirement, Martin returned to Maine and worked for Community Service Communications Inc. in Winthrop.

Martin was a lifelong member of the 1st Cavalry Division Association of the American Legion, and the Korean War Veterans Association. He was a former member and a Memorial Committee member of the Burton-Goode-Sargent Chapter, build-ers of the Maine Korean War Memorial in Bangor. He was founder and past president of the CPL Clair Goodblood (MOH) Chapter in Augusta, builders of the CPL Clair Goodblood Medal of Honor Memorial in Burnham.

He is the author of "The Korean War: Forgotten Soldiers of a Forgotten War ... No Longer Forgotten," "Above and Beyond The Call Of Duty" and "The CPL Clair Goodblood Story."

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Helene O'Brien of Augusta; two daughters, Patty Matthews of Winthrop, and Kathy Walker and husband Greg of Winthrop; two sisters, Eileen Collins and Sheila Dion of Marshfield, Mass.; five grandchildren, Marty Matthews and wife Shana of Lewiston, Angie Matthews of Winthrop, Jeff Matthews and wife Feather of Monmouth, Michael Nelbach of Augusta and Jennifer Nelbach of Winthrop; and one great-grandchild, Darius Dunn of Winthrop.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta on July 26 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Korean War Veterans Association, 163 Deerbrook Trail, Pineville, LA 71360.

Arrangements are in the care of Funeral Alternatives, L.L.C., of Augusta.
www.funeralalternatives.net