File:Military Funeral Honors with Funeral Escort are Conducted for U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Brendan O’Donnell in Section 83 on 14 October 2022.jpg

English: Marines from the “The President’s Own” Marine Band, Marines from the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. (8th and I), and the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Brendan O’Donnell in Section 83 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Oct. 14, 2022.

O’Donnell entered the Marine Corps in October of 1950 and fought in the Korean War as a second lieutenant. By early April 1951, O’Donnell had become a platoon leader in Company D, 2nd Battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment, supporting the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. His platoon was fighting to the Kansas Line, along the 38th parallel — the dividing line between North and South Korea.

On April 10, 1951, O’Donnell’s platoon spearheaded a company-sized attack on an enemy ridgeline, killing 27, wounding 35 and capturing seven. As enemy fire rained in from the adjacent hills, he constantly exposed himself while setting up a defensive position. Mortars then pounded O’Donnell’s position, wounding some of his men and destroying his radio. Despite the hit, O’Donnell fearlessly led his platoon against an enemy ridge, exposing himself again to heavy automatic fire. Yet he led his men to route the enemy and relieve pressure on troops pinned down by enemy fire. His actions that day earned him the Silver Star.

He remained in the Corps for another year, before retiring as a major in the Reserve.

O’Donnell’s spouse, Betty O’Donnell, received the U.S. flag from his funeral service.

(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released) (Photo taken in color and turned to black-and-white)