Marine Lance Cpl O'Day was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms, Calif. Killed during convoy operations when his tank plunged off a cliff into the Euphrates River. He had been missing in action until identification dogtags were found washed ashore. His tank was later found lying upside down on the bed of the river and his body was eventually recovered. O'Day married his high school sweetheart shortly before heading overseas and was looking forward to the birth of their first child, due in September. He was drawn to the Marines because of their allure as one of the toughest of the military branches, said his wife, Shauna. During boot camp, he developed stress fractures in his legs. But rather than accept a medical discharge, he spent six months in a rehabilitation platoon, then returned to boot camp and completed his training as a tank gunner. "He was proud to be a Marine," his wife said. "He liked their reputation and he liked their discipline."
Marine Lance Cpl O'Day was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms, Calif. Killed during convoy operations when his tank plunged off a cliff into the Euphrates River. He had been missing in action until identification dogtags were found washed ashore. His tank was later found lying upside down on the bed of the river and his body was eventually recovered. O'Day married his high school sweetheart shortly before heading overseas and was looking forward to the birth of their first child, due in September. He was drawn to the Marines because of their allure as one of the toughest of the military branches, said his wife, Shauna. During boot camp, he developed stress fractures in his legs. But rather than accept a medical discharge, he spent six months in a rehabilitation platoon, then returned to boot camp and completed his training as a tank gunner. "He was proud to be a Marine," his wife said. "He liked their reputation and he liked their discipline."
Bio by: Brenda N
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PATRICK T. O'DAY
CPL. U S MARINE CORPS
IRAQ
PURPLE HEART
