CAMP PENDLETON -- A retired Marine Corps colonel was awarded the Navy Cross on Friday at Camp Pendleton, 39 years after he spearheaded an aggressive assault to stop enemy forces from dragging away wounded Marines in a firefight during the Vietnam War.
View A VideoCol. Joseph O'Brien originally received the Bronze Star for his actions, but the medal was upgraded Friday to the Navy Cross following a recent review, officials said.
The Navy Cross is the naval service's second-highest honor, behind the Medal of Honor.
After a reading of the citation detailing O'Brien's actions on the battlefield, Maj. Gen. Richard Natonski said it "sends shivers down my back."
In September 1967, O'Brien, then a captain, was leading an armored task force through enemy territory when it came under attack, according to the citation. Exposing himself repeatedly to enemy fire, O'Brien helped move the wounded to safety while suffering burns on his hands and face, the citation states.
The document continued that in a later firefight, O'Brien saw wounded Marines being dragged away by enemy soldiers. He rushed to protect them, killing several men with his pistol and an enemy rifle. Though wounded by enemy hand grenades, O'Brien refused medical treatment. After spearheading a successful assault on the enemy position with hand grenades, he collapsed from his wounds and was evacuated, the citation states.
"I was in a state of grace that day, believe me," he told the crowd gathered Friday outside the 1st Marine Division Headquarters.
O'Brien, who enlisted in 1953, served in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Marine Divisions. He served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded four Purple Hearts.
"Col. O'Brien is what we call in the Marine Corps 'a warrior,' " Natonski said.
When the award was pinned on his jacket, O'Brien gave a humble thank you to his family and to the uniformed Marines who stood in the wings.
"You've made an old fella feel pretty good," he said.
To his fellow Marines, O'Brien offered his gratitude, saying he was proud of the work they are doing. Today's troops are better trained, better equipped and smarter fighters than their predecessors, but all Marines share the same spirit, O'Brien said.
Even today, when he hears the Marines' Hymn, his body starts to shake, he said.
The Navy Cross is looked upon with reverence by the men and women in the Corps, O'Brien explained after the ceremony.
"I'm not wearing it for myself," he added. "I'm wearing it for the great Marines I fought with."
Daughter-in-law Diane O'Brien said that about 30 family members attended the ceremony, traveling from as far away as New York and Virginia.
"He's very proud to be a Marine," she said. "That's the greatest honor there is."
After the ceremony, a crowd of young Marines huddled around O'Brien like an athletic team waiting for a coach's wisdom.
"I think of you every day," he told them. "I pray for you every day."
Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 631-6621 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com.
