Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. O’Brien, 21, of Stanley, N.C., died June 9 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, IMarine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Best friend and fire teammate, Lcpl Josh Cawthorn, was 10 feet behind O'Brien.
"We hit the IED and all I remember is a loud bang." said Lcpl Cawthorn, who was severly injured in the roadside blast. His right eye socket was crushed and his right eye had to be removed.
"I loved Nic like a brother. They lost their only son. I'm more than willing to be their son for them," Lcpl Cawthorn said. "I really appreciate it that they're thinking of me. I know that they're always going to be there for me now and I'm always going to be there for them. They told me that I was like a son to them."
Lcpl O’Brien graduated East Gaston High School in 2008, where he was centerfielder for baseball team and played soccer. He was named Defensive Player of the year in his junior and senior years. He earned his school's Math Award during his junior year.
Lcpl O’Brien joined the Marines in Fall of 2009, following in the footsteps of his father, a Marine veteran, and his grandfather, a Navy veteran. He intended to serve his four or five year enlistment and go to college to become a firefighter, like his uncle, a Charlotte firefighter.
This was Lcpl O'Brien's first deployment. He had just turned 21 years old, two weeks prior.
His father, Richard, said his son was a talented high school baseball player who was offered college scholarships to continue playing. "He had a lot of choices in front of him. Nic made his mind up when he was about 15 years old that he was going into the Marine Corps, come hell or high water."
High school coach, Brian Sellers said “I knew when it came time to play, Nic was going to give me all he had,” said Sellers. “You never had to worry about his desire to win or play hard. He was going to leave everything on the field.”
“Our best memories of him were based on his ability to make anyone laugh at any given time,” said Johnson. “I remember getting frustrated with him sometimes, but then I’d turn around and he’d be doing something to make me crack up laughing. “Even if he was doing something you didn’t like, it was impossible to be mad at him.”
Ginger Petty said she'd known O'Brien since he was about 10 years old and was devastated by his death, saying he grew up playing baseball with her eldest son, Lee.
She described O'Brien has a "wonderful boy" and a great outfielder who never belittled anyone and found a friend in everyone. He was the kind of person who wasn't afraid to step in when he saw a friend in need. She said her son, Lee, struggled with the death of his father when he was a senior in high school and he was in jeopardy of not graduating, but O'Brien talked to him about what was going on and encouraged him. The pair graduated together weeks later.
Petty said she hadn't heard that story until Friday. "It was the first time Lee ever told me," she said. "I thought it was amazing for someone at that age...Nic deserves to be recognized."
Petty said she hadn't heard that story until Friday. "It was the first time Lee ever told me," she said. "I thought it was amazing for someone at that age...Nic deserves to be recognized."
From friends:
I grieve with you over the loss of your precious son. I lost my son Sgt. Kevin Brian Balduf, USMC on May 12th and buried him in Arlington last Wednesday. I know your pain. Ironically, Josh who was with your son is a relative of my wife by marriage. Please know that we are here for you and feel your pain in a very real way.~ Chip Balduf, Ellenboro, North Carolina
My son (Travis) and his girlfriend both went to school with Nic and thought that world of him. My son couldn't be there today so I came out not only for him but to also show my support and respect for you and your son. No words can replace him but his love lives on in you. You raised an amazing young man. You are in our thoughts and prayers.~William and Jennifer H., blacksburg, South Carolina
June 20, 2011
To the O'Brien Family,
My first memories of Nic are from watching him play soccer as a 6 or 7 year old on a league in Coulwood. Every time I think of Nic, I remember how I loved to watch him play. He was the star of the team and even at that very young age, he impressed me with his drive to give the game all he had. I have kept up with him thru more recent years through my daughter and Hayley and have been equally impressed with his courageous ambition when he joined the Marines. Nic is truly an inspiration. It would seem that he lived more in his short life than some could live in 90. My heart has been broken for you all since we got the truly shocking news of his death on that Thursday night. My prayer for you all is that the God who gave him to you and now has taken him Home, will strengthen you and hold you in His loving care, close to His heart, until you see your precious Nic again. Proverbs 10:7 says; "The memory of the righteous is blessed..." Nic's life was a blessing and an inspiration. His memory will forever be blessed. May God's comfort and peace be with you all.~ Kim W., Stanley, North Carolina
My first memories of Nic are from watching him play soccer as a 6 or 7 year old on a league in Coulwood. Every time I think of Nic, I remember how I loved to watch him play. He was the star of the team and even at that very young age, he impressed me with his drive to give the game all he had. I have kept up with him thru more recent years through my daughter and Hayley and have been equally impressed with his courageous ambition when he joined the Marines. Nic is truly an inspiration. It would seem that he lived more in his short life than some could live in 90. My heart has been broken for you all since we got the truly shocking news of his death on that Thursday night. My prayer for you all is that the God who gave him to you and now has taken him Home, will strengthen you and hold you in His loving care, close to His heart, until you see your precious Nic again. Proverbs 10:7 says; "The memory of the righteous is blessed..." Nic's life was a blessing and an inspiration. His memory will forever be blessed. May God's comfort and peace be with you all.~ Kim W., Stanley, North Carolina
June 18, 2011
I don't know if your family remembers me, I kept (little Nic) as I used to call him, at Shady Brook Daycare. My name is Toni aka Ms Toni. Nic was a very sweet little boy as well as his sister, Haley. They were two of my favorites. I didn't know him as he was growing up, but it looked like he grew up to be a fine, young man. I was devastated when I heard about his death. I didn't want to believe the news. I know you all are very proud of little Nic and his accomplishments and especially for protecting our country. I'm sure it's going to take some time to heal from this, but always remember he'll always be in yall's hearts and you will see him again one day. God Bless you, Tammie, Richard, Haley and Ms Lila. you are all in my prayers.~Toni L., Charlotte, North Carolina
June 12, 2011
Richard and Tammy, we also mourn with you in the death of Nic, for our son, LCpl. David B. Houck, was killed in the Battle for Fallujah, 26 Nov 2004, one of 13 in 1/8, Bravo Co. David's body was laid to rest in section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington has become our family's burial place as my dad (USAF) and mom are buried in section 6...We want to support you as you trudge through day by day. Please call xxx xxx-xxx or email xxxxxxx My hubby is a retired Navy senior chief and we will put flowers on Nic's grave each time we visit Arlington. Thank you for raising such a fine son who willingly joined the USMC to defend and protect our freedoms. May our Lord comfort you.~ Bob & Beth H., MOUNT ULLA, North Carolina
June 12, 2011
Dear Tammy, Richard and Haley:
Words can not express the hurt and loss I feel today. Nic was a wonderful kid. So full of life. One thing just sticks out in my mind like it was yesterday: Nic riding his 4-wheeler in the backyard over in West Chester, just a tot, but going wide open, fearless. Nic has taken that same fearlessness from just a tot to the GREAT MAN he is today. What a remarkable Angel he will be in Heaven. I can see him now. Picking and preparing his ball team for Jesus. What a Great Star, his light will be shining down on you guys for long time to come. Keep the faith and Trust in God he is with you today, tomorrow and always. I love you more than you will ever know. My prayers and thoughts will be with you as you take this long journey. I stand with you and will be here for you at any time of the day,night or whenever you need me. " "Thank you Nic for allowing me the opportunity to know you and thanks for the freedom that you so proudly sought for us each and every day. You will always remain in my heart forever. I am so Very PROUD. What a HERO you are.~Love Pixie B., Charlotte, North Carolina
Words can not express the hurt and loss I feel today. Nic was a wonderful kid. So full of life. One thing just sticks out in my mind like it was yesterday: Nic riding his 4-wheeler in the backyard over in West Chester, just a tot, but going wide open, fearless. Nic has taken that same fearlessness from just a tot to the GREAT MAN he is today. What a remarkable Angel he will be in Heaven. I can see him now. Picking and preparing his ball team for Jesus. What a Great Star, his light will be shining down on you guys for long time to come. Keep the faith and Trust in God he is with you today, tomorrow and always. I love you more than you will ever know. My prayers and thoughts will be with you as you take this long journey. I stand with you and will be here for you at any time of the day,night or whenever you need me. " "Thank you Nic for allowing me the opportunity to know you and thanks for the freedom that you so proudly sought for us each and every day. You will always remain in my heart forever. I am so Very PROUD. What a HERO you are.~Love Pixie B., Charlotte, North Carolina
June 12, 2011
My thoughts and prayers goes out to you. O'Brien and my son Daniel was at Parris Island together in the same company. When my son call home I would always ask him where is O'Brien and he would say right here mom. They even went to California to school together. He will truly be miss by me and my son. Rest in peace O'Brien. We love you.~Daniel S. and Mom, Lulamae S., Goose Creek, South Carolina
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m., Monday, June 20, at First Assembly of God in Gastonia.
Lcpl O'Brien will be buried at Arlington National Cemetary, because, as his father said, "“In his short life, he grew to be a class man. He was a warrior and a hero. And he deserves to be buried beside warriors."
Lcpl O'Brien will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 28th.
The day his battalion deployed to Afghanistan in March, he sent his parents an email to reassure them and tell them to sleep easy. "If something happens to me, don't cry over me because this is what I want to be doing," he wrote.
In lieu of flowers, the O'Brien family respectfully requests memorials be sent to the Josh Cawthorn Fund, in care of Shady Brook Baptist Church, 2940 Belmeade Drive, Charlotte, NC 28214.
Lcpl O'Brien is survived by parents, Tammy and Richard; and sister, Haley.
