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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
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Farewell My Friend and Fellow Soldier. You will be greatly missed by the vast multitudes of people whose lives you touched and hold you in the highest regards and esteem. I will miss your words of wisdom, our jokes, and your dedication to furthering our organization so it will continue with the dignity and honor that you were so instrumental in accomplishing for it.
Marty, God Bless You and Your Family and Rest in Peace.
Bill Scott
July 31, 2006
Nothing but good memories from me...
My father and "Marty" were Colby alumni...(maybe that's why I didn't flunk out of Farrington)
Mr O'Brien was my princapal at Farrington School, many years ago. And beleive it or not, he always remembered me decades later. Of course, I always remembered him, too.
He was so easy to talk to, and always made it a point to ask me how I was doing...what I was doing, and if I was happy, doing what I was doing!
What a great guy.
He was one of a kind.
Honest and always spoke from the heart.
I can appreciate that...and Mr OB will always be a role model to me.
Marc, Scott, and Steve...my thoughts are with you.
Rest in Peace...Mister OB!
Mike Poulin
July 15, 2006
My Grandfather, Martin O'Brien, was and still is, the rock that holds our family together. He was an honorable veteran, an outstanding citizen to our country and the most wonderful Papa anyone could of had. He was my role model, my comfort and now he is my angel. No one could ever replace the special bond he has in my heart. I love you and miss you crazy Papa Gino. Now I will fulfill my duty of making sure Nana wakes up every morning with her chin held high until the day you two are reunited.
Jennifer Nelbach
July 9, 2006
My father was a man who deeply loved his family as well as his country. He was taken from us too soon and we will miss him dearly. He now is in the hands of the Lord and until we meet again I will always remember his strength, humor and love. I Love and miss you Dad!
Kathy Walker
July 7, 2006
From one Korean War Veteran to another. You will surely be going to Heaven. You did your time in Hell.
Leo Agnew
July 6, 2006
My grandfather was a man who has done so much for his country - but I submit that he has done even more for his family. He was a man who had a deep understanding of love, honor and duty. He is missed incredibly.
Marty Matthews
July 6, 2006
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the O'Brien family during your time of bereavement. A candle will be lit in St. Stanislaus Basilica in Marty's honor and memory. May God grant you his peace and give you his love and strength to endure. Godspeed.
John V. Sasso
July 6, 2006
I had a chance to thank Marty last year for the work he did for the Korean War Veteran Association, MIA/POW. This Great Korean War Veteran will be missed for a long time to come.
My condolence to Mrs.O’Brien and family
(Commander Am-Ex-POW, Tampa Fl.)
Robert A. MacLean
July 6, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
William Haase
July 5, 2006
Helene, I would like to extend to you and your family my heart felt condolences on the loss of Marty.
We are deeply appreciative of his lifetime of service to the KWVA.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as we remember in our own way Marty's life and the contributions he made for his fellow veterans.
Thom Julian
Quincy, Massachusetts
KWVA, Chapter 299
July 5, 2006
To Simone and the rest of Marty's family and friends...we have lost a dear man who touched us all by his love of family, his friends, comrades, and his love and diligent efforts in helping to honor all Korean Vets, both living and who have answered their Final Roll Call. The Lord will be pleased to embrace you dear friend.
May you Rest In Peace.
Bill & Linda Scott
Boyce, Virginia
Billy Scott
July 5, 2006
PRESIDENT JFK ONCE SAID 'A NATION
REVEALS ITSELF NOT ONLY BY THE
INDIVIDALS IT PRODUCES.BUT ALSO BY THOSE IT HONORS...THOSE IT REMEMBERS"
MARTY WAS A GOOD CITIZEN,A SHEPARD,A CARING PERSON AND A DISTINGUISHED VETERAN..HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED..MAY THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN GUIDE HIM TO GLORY.
JOE KALESNIK
July 5, 2006
Marty, you touched everyone who knew you and will truely be missed. Thank you for your service to our country and the KWVA. My condolences to your family and loved ones.
Bill Labombarde
July 5, 2006
THERE WAS ONLY ONE MARTY O'BRIEN,NO ONE EVER HAD EVER HAD ONE NEGATIVE WORD ABOUT HIM,AS A FRIEND HE WAS THE BEST!GOD PUT HIM ON EARTH AND HAS TAKEN HIM AWAY.REST IN PEACE "MARTY"
GEORGE GARDNER
July 5, 2006
I'll always have proud memories of Marty for the way he stood beside me, as we fought tooth and nail attempting to build the Maine Korean War Memorial in Augusta. As a Memorial Team member, Marty diligently researched each of the 245 names of those Maine boys who died in Korea, and through his hard work and dedication was able to add an additional 12 names to the 233, which otherwise would not have been recorded. Please accept my sympathy in the loss of a truly wonderful and inspiring man.
Ken Buckley
July 5, 2006
Will miss Martie at our meeting.
Public Information Officer
KVA/KWVA 299
James Henderson
July 5, 2006
Please accept our sypathies
Arnie Perras
July 5, 2006
What a wonderful soul this earth has lost, but what a wonderful angel heaven has gained. In this time of sorrow for Marty's family, I offer my deepest sympathies and prayers in this time of grief.
I will never forget Marty. He was always so helpful to everyone. But most of all, I want to thank him for listening to me talk about my dad and allowing me to listen to him talk about being in Korea. He was a remarkable person who will be greatly missed by all.
Carole Glenn
July 5, 2006
I will miss conversing with Marty
about the KWVA , the state of Maine,
Boston, the future and the past .
Marty will be missed . Marty was the man!! We will meet again my friend.
KWVA National Director
Jeff Brodeur
Jeff Brodeur
July 4, 2006
Marty, you were an inspiration to me and to every veteran who has been honored by your friendship. I am proud to have known you and my life is better for it.
Veteran of World War II and Korean War
Edward Bicknell
July 4, 2006
Time and prayer are the keysto healing pain and I offer both,
Paul Spescia
July 4, 2006
Sincere condolences from the Officers and members of NY Department, may our Lord welcome Marty with open arms, and support his family in their grief.
Joe Vogel
July 4, 2006
I can honestly say that I knew an
American Patriot - someone who would always say, "My Country." and
mean it.
Marty there is no doubt in my mind that you will truly be missed -especially by me. God Bless You.
Mike Sheehan, Pres. Chosin Few NJ
July 4, 2006
Aloha Martin till we meet.
Tom Leone West Hawaii Korean War Veterans 279
Tom Leone
July 4, 2006
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
james corke
July 4, 2006
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
KWVA Chapter One - National ID #30
July 4, 2006
Marty, you are now in Fiddler's Green. Thank You for your Service to the 1st Cavalry Division, The United States Army, your Family, God and Country.
A true Patriot.
President Robert D Johnson 1CAV Div Assoc
July 4, 2006
Condolences to the family of this good man and to those friends whose lives Marty touched.
Judith and LaRue Knight, Chapter 255 KWVA
July 4, 2006
Farewell my friend, until we meet again over there. May God grant peace to your loved ones.
Shirley & Keith Watkins
Oklahoma Korean War Veterans Association and KW Vets Email List
Shirley Watkins
July 4, 2006
Express my condolences to Marty's family
J>D> Randolph
July 4, 2006
I send my sincere sympathy to the family of a comrade and friend that I knew only a short period of time. I'm proud to be his friend.
Ed Buckman
Co-Founder Samn Johnson Chapter # 270
Dallas, Texas
ED Buckman
July 4, 2006
My deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to Mrs. Helene O'Brien and her family. Rest in Peace, Dear Friend.
Steve Szekely
July 4, 2006
It was my extremely sad duty to report the death of my friend, Martin J "Marty" O’Brien, a constant friend, advisor, and patriot. He has always been an outstanding member of the Korean War Veterans Association, and one of the Nation’s most qualified and dedicated experts on the battle casualties and MIA/POW of the Korean War. He can never be replaced in the affections of his family or of those of us who served with him. He never let any of us down. . .never.
Lou Dechert, President, Korean War Veterans Association
Louis T Dechert
July 4, 2006
Ny sincere condolence to the family as I say farewell to a comrade in arms.
Howard Hester
July 4, 2006
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