Charles J. O’Brien was born in 1916 to Charles J. Sr. and Elizabeth O’Brien who lived at 346 1^st Avenue in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.  He was the youngest of three children: Margaret, John C. and Charles.  His father worked as a tub fitter in a boiler works, but passed away early in Charles’ life.

The family later moved to Lincoln and Third Avenue.

Charles graduated from the Phoenixville High School, then located on Nutt Road where the Phoenixville Hospital stands today.  He took the academic course, was on the Purple & White staff, advertising his 3rd and 4th years, Football Manager his 4^th, Track Manager his 3rd and Vice President his first year.

The high school yearbook writes of Charles:

“Charlie” is in the runt class, also.  He is another popular fellow with both sexes.  “Charlie” intends to go into Civil Service upon graduating from School.

Charles attended the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, in their Evening School of Accounts and Finance in 1939/1940.  He then found employment at the West Chester Public Service Office

Charles was a member of St. Ann’s church (pictured at right) at 3^rd and Buttonwood Streets, and a member of the Phoenixville Council, Knights of Columbus.

Charles enlisted in the 103^rd Engineers, a National Guard unit based in Philadelphia. He later enlisted in the Army Air Corps.

Charles received basic training at Waco, Texas, then was assigned to serve with the 103^rd Observation Squadron based in Harrisburg.  He applied for and received training as an aviation cadet.  Charles received primary training at Coleman and Kelly Field, Texas.  He also trained at the Air Corps Technical School in Fort Logan, Colorado.  Charles then was sent to Lake Charles, Louisiana for single-engine-advanced school.  There he received his “wings” as an Army Air Corps pilot, andwas promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on Sunday, December 13, 1942.  His mother attended the graduation exercises.

He then was attached to the Ferrying Division of the Army Air Transport Command.

In May, Charles was the co-pilot of a medium which went down in the San Pablo Bay, California (near San Francisco), about 3 miles from Hamilton Field. One body was recovered and three were missing.

Lieutenant Charles J. O’Brien Jr. was classified as Died Non Battle in an aircraft crash May 25, 1943.

Charles mother, Elizabeth, received the telegram the next day.

It is my sad duty to inform you of the death of your son, Second Lieutenant Charles J. O’Brien on May 25, near Hamilton Field, California.  The sympathy of the entire personnel of his command is extended to you in the bereavement of your son.

Charles’ was one of the bodies found.  He was brought home for burial.

In May 1944 the Knights of Columbus held a ceremony in honor of Charles and his mother.  His mother, Elizabeth, was given the first ‘gold star’ as mother of the first Knight of Columbus from their lodge to give his life during World War II.  His mother was then a Registered nurse, who was employed at the Valley Forge Hospital (today the Valley Forge Christian Academy, southeast of Phoenixville).