LCpl. Nicholas S. O'Brien, U.S.M.C

and raised in Stanley, North Carolina. He was a 2008 graduate of East Gaston High School

where he was a centerfielder for the baseball team and was named the defensive Player of

the Year his Junior and senior years. He was offered college scholarships to continue to play

baseball but placed his heart and mind on joining the Marine Corps. He enlisted in the

Marine Corps in the fall of 2009 and completed basic training at MCRD Parris Island, South

Carolina.

LCpl O’Brien completed infantry training at the School of Infantry East, Camp Geiger,

North Carolina and was assigned as an infantryman to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st

Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. He deployed with the unit in support Operation

Enduring Freedom in March of this year and was killed in action on 9 June 2011 while

conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

LCpl O’Brien is survived by his parents, Richard O'Brien, Jr. and Tammy O'Brien; his

sister, Haley O'Brien; grandparents, Johnny Bright and Barbara Bowen; and great

grandmother, Lila Harrison; uncles, Jeff Bright and family, Sean O'Brien and

family; and aunt, Bonnie Knight and family, and extended family in Charlotte, NC and

Appomattox, VA; and his longtime girlfriend, Hayley Black.