John Michael O'FarrellFirst LieutenantB CO, 2ND BN, 22ND INF RGT, 25 INF DIV Army of the United States 26 December 1946 - 14 January 1969 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Panel 34W Line 002 |
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The database page for John Michael O'Farrell
From a native Philadelphian and Marine, |
Greetings: My brother, Frank Kearney, arrived in country in March of 1968 and served under Lt. O'Farrell. Frank was wounded in action on 27 April 1968 (the same day that I was married). Frank stayed in-country after his wounds healed and was in that fire fight when Lt. O'Farrell and Pfc. Martin were hit. Frank wrote our dad and asked him to attend Lt. O'Farrell's funeral in Philadelphia and to tell his parents that it was a pleasure to have served under their son. Dad did go and took with him letters to John's parents from 'his men'. Frank died recently (25 Jan 2005) after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was photographed at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a photo that appeared on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer. In the caption he said he was there to honor Lt. O'Farrell and all of his comrades from the 'triple duece' who did not come home. To all Vietnam Vets ... WELCOME HOME!
Tom Kearney |
"Hail, Hail OCS! And we thought we were. We marched to that cadence to the tune of "Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll." We were OC 31-67, graduating on 25 May, 1967 from the Infantry School, Ft. Benning, Georgia. Thirty-eight years later, within three weeks of the anniversary of our graduation, my thoughts turn again to the brotherhood and espirit de corps that exists after twenty-six weeks of eating, sleeping, training, and serving together. John, may you rest in peace, my brother!
From a classmate in OC 31-67, 97th Company OC, Ft. Benning, Georgia, |
I'm 1Lt G. Gary McBrayer. I was with Lt O'Farrell on Jan 14, 1969. I was leading a platoon of 4 tracks down the road from John when we got the radio message that something was going on where he was. We immediately headed that way and by the time we got there (approx 5 mins) Lt. O'Farrell had been mortally wounded. I was shocked and stunned. He was a GREAT soldier and a great leader of men ... I held him in my arms and wept. That day I became company commander ... his shoes were hard to fill. I miss you, John! I've thought about you many times over the years. Two years later my only son was born on Jan 14. When we celebrate his birthday I have very mixed emotions. Rest in Peace, John.
Gary McBrayer |
Notes from The Virtual WallOn 14 Jan 1969 1LT O'Farrell was leading a platoon-sized patrol when his men came under sniper fire. O'Farrell and two others advanced to locate and eliminate the sniper, but instead were hit by enemy fire. Several soldiers, including PFC Merle "Jim" Martin advanced to protect and recover the three men. While providing covering fire, PFC Martin was shot. He died two weeks afterwards, on 28 Jan 1969. |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 07 Sep 2004
Last updated 11/13/2010