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Kevin O’Brien - NOTES FROM THE VIRTUAL WALL

Two men were lost when an O-1G Birddog (tail #51-5059) light observation aircraft
went down in bad weather on 09 January 1969:

x CPT Hugh Byrd, pilot, 200th Avn Co, 212th Cbt Avn Bn, and
x 1LT Kevin O'Brien, artillery observer, HHB, 2/94 Artillery.

The two had departed Phu Bai on an artillery support mission in the Khe Sanh area.
While aloft, they were diverted to assist a reconnaissance team in enemy contact.
After being relieved on station, Byrd headed back to Phu Bai. At about 1940 he
reported that the weather was getting worse, that the aircraft was not equipped for
instrument flight, and that he was uncertain of his position. Radar controllers tried
to get a fix on the Bird Dog but were unsuccessful. Radio direction finding did allow
controllers to get an imprecise location. Based on that information and the pilot's
reports, controllers believed the aircraft to be in a mountainous area with peaks
rising above the O-1's reported altitude. The controller recommended that Byrd
should climb to avoid the terrain, but was unable to establish radio contact with the
aircraft.

An immediate search was impractical due to weather and nightfall, but airborne
searches began the following morning and continued for several days. The
wreckage was not located, nor was contact made with either of the two men.

When the search effort was terminated both Byrd and O'Brien were classed as
Missing in Action. The Secretary of the Army eventually approved Presumptive
Findings of Death for both men, Byrd on 11 January 1974 and O'Brien on 07 March
1979. Their remains have not been repatriated.

9 Apr 2004

Always in our thoughts and prayers.

From a Mount Loretto Sister,
Phyllis M. Wise

20 Nov 2006

I have his POW/MIA Bracelet.

S. Wright

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