LTC John C. O'Brien Legion of Merit Citation
#1

I was looking through some scans of my grandfather's documents from the war and found his LoM citation. I have rewritten it because the original is nearly illegible. It gives and interesting look into the kinds of things that were problems that people faced (lack of materials in this case) and how people overcame them.

 

John C. O’Brien, 0351761, Captain, Corps of Engineers,

540th Engineer Regiment, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the

performance of outstanding service in Italy from 1 March to 30 April

1944. Although no available equipment had been designed for this purpose

of making bituminous cold patch, Captain O’Brien, through ingenious

conversions, alterations, and engineering skill, has been able to construct

a plant which was capable of producing 100 cubic yards of cold patching

material per day, for the repair and maintenance of roads in the Anzio

Beachhead. Working under hazardous conditions he trained personnel to

operate the plant, and constantly inspected the roads which were being

repaired with the materials in order to further improve his product.

Captain O’Brien’s plant was also able to supply other engineer units

on the beachhead with sufficient cold patching material so that they

could repair and maintain their individual road nets and the plant

proved so successful that a [edited 9/8] duplicate had ordered to be constructed

by higher authorities. The initiative, skill, and outstanding engineering

ability displayed by Captain O’Brien is worthyof praise. Entered service

from Dayton, Ohio.

 

*These two words are difficult to make out on the scanned copy. “That

its” seems to be the best fit contextually.

 

Dad%252520CO%2525202832.jpg

LoM citation.pdf



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#2

Working under hazardous conditions he trained personnel to

operate the plant, and constantly inspected the roads which were being

repaired with the materials in order to further improve his product.

Captain O’Brien’s plant was also able to supply other engineer units

on the beachhead with sufficient cold patching material so that they

could repair and maintain their individual road nets and the plant

proved so successful [that its*] duplicate had ordered to be constructed

by higher authorities.

 

*These two words are difficult to make out on the scanned copy. “That its” seems to be the best fit contextually.

 

Very cool, brother mine.

 

Looks like "that a" to me but I guess it makes sense either way.

 

Thank you for finding and transcribing this.

 

John

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#3

Looks like "that a" to me but I guess it makes sense either way.

 

OK, I'll buy that.

Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
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#4

Yes, this is awesome. I plan to use this in the documentary. Very cool!!!!

 

:wave2: :wave2:

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
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#5

And hey John, it's great to see your first post. Welcome. I know you've been perusing for a long time, so aren't exactly a NEWBIE...

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
Reply


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