First Composite Radio Company

                                                             Fleet Marine Force Pacific
   Garrett O'Hara------January 29, 1929 - March 29, 1999

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Master Sergeant Garrett O’Hara was born January 29, 1929 in Omaha, Nebraska. He died March 29, 1999 and is interned in Leavenworth National Cemetery.

He served this nation honorably, first in the United States Army and later in the United States Marine Corps. Garrett entered the Army October 13, 1950 and served in the 322nd Heavy Tank Battalion. For action in the Korean War, Garrett was awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, and United Nations Service Medal.

Garrett enlisted in the Marine Corps June 2, 1958, and served as a Crypto Electronic Warfare Chief with service in San Miguel, Philippines and was attached to the 1st Composite Radio Company while serving his first tour in Vietnam, September 12, 1962 - January 19, 1963.

Garrett served in the 1st Radio Company, Kaneohe, Hawaii, where he served his second tour in Vietnam October 6, 1965 - January 18, 1966.

Garrett was transferred to Camp Geiger, North Carolina, attached to the 2nd Radio Company. In 1968 was transferred to Company "G" Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico.

Garrett served his 3rd tour of duty in Vietnam December 28, 1970 - May 9 1971. Garrett was than transferred to Camp Geiger, North Carolina, 2nd Radio Company until he retired on June 30, 1975.

Garrett also went on several TAD assignments which included Cuba, Australia and Japan. For service in Vietnam he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal with "V" and Army Meritorious Unit Citation.

Garrett remained in the reserves until his death.

 

Email from a former member of Garrett's CT class:

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "JOHN EGAN" <eganjrj@verizon.net>
To: members@1st-radio-company-usmc.org
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2009 8:32:24 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Membership

                                                                                                                                                                                               

OMG

 

I just read about Garrett O'Hara on your web site. What a wonderful Marine.

 

I went to CT school with Sgt O'Hara at the Naval Security Group Activity, Imperial Beach, CA in 1959. He was a Sgt and I was a PFC.

 

As the senior Marine, Sgt O'Hara was in charge of Marines at the school. He always looked out for us. He started a silent drill team for the student Marines, sent several of us to accompany debutants at the El Cortez Hotel in San Diego and sent us to escort girls with their parents at a function in Los Angeles as well as other affairs.

 

I remember going to Coronado, CA on liberty with Sgt O'Hara. He told me that when he was in the Army in Korea at the Chosin Reservoir, his unit was overrun by the enemy. A Marine unit was on his flank and picked up fallen soldiers during a retrograde to the rear saving Sgt O'Hara as well as others in his unit. He told me he owed the Marine Corps his life.

 

Sgt O'Hara was my superior during the short time I knew him but I regarded him as a close personal friend. He was a great role model.

I left Imperial Beach and went to Adak, Alaska then on to Bremerhaven, Germany. I never saw Sgt O'Hara after CT school in 1959 but thought of him often.

 

I would like to know how I can join your organization.

 

Thank you.

John Egan

Email: eganjrj@verizon.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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