Courtney Presents World War I Purple Heart to Enfield Family

Press Release

This morning, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) presented two service medals to the family of Private Patrick O'Brien, who served in the U.S. Army in France and lost his life on October 6th, 1918, during World War I. Mary Knapp, O'Brien's niece and a veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War, accepted the medals on behalf of her family.

"I am honored to present these World War I service medals to Private O'Brien's survivors. The commitment to serve our nation is evident throughout the family lineage that Mary Knapp represents here today, and these medals will be a significant contribution to their family history for generations to come," Courtney said. "Though the last U.S. veterans of World War I have passed, stories like that of Patrick O'Brien, who fought and died for our country just a few years after he arrived on its shores, are kept alive through family members like Mary."

Born in 1896 in County Kerry, Ireland, O'Brien emigrated to the United States in 1914. He was sent to France with Company M, Third Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, American Expeditionary Forces in 1918. Private O'Brien was wounded on October 1, 1918, earning the Purple Heart. He was treated for his wounds and returned to his unit. He was killed in action on October 6, 1918.

Courtney presented two medals, the Purple Heart with bronze oak leaf cluster, and the World War I Victory Medal with France Service Clasp, and the Meuse-Argonne Battle Clasp and St. Mihiel Battle Clasp. Mary Knapp, who accepted the medals on her uncle's behalf, is a member of Congressman Courtney's Enfield Veterans Advisory Board.

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