O BRIEN, CLAUDE RAYMOND

by Lou Long

Entry F314 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Claude O'Brien

Mary Jane O'Brien

Claude was born January 9, 1915, to Nellie
and Jim O'Brien. They were living on the
Tom Woods Place on the Dismal River. He
had one sister, Inez Marie, who was two years
older. Claude attended school in Mullen,
Nellie moved to town during school months
so Claude and Inez could attend school. Inez
attended St. Agnes Academy at Alliance for
High School and Claude boarded with Clara
Humphrey during High School. He graduat-
ed in 1933. Claude ranched with his parents
on the Ben Kemp Place. The O'Briens bought
the Mays Place southwest of Mullen.

Claude entered the Air Force in November
of 1941. His ambition was to become a pilot
and reach the rank of Captain. This he did.
He trained at Chanute Air Base in illinois and
took pilot training at Randolph Field in San
Antonio, Texas. He graduated January 1943
at Brooks Field, Texas, with rank of 2nd Lt.
He trained as a fighter pilot at Rulo, Mis-
souri, and was promoted to 1st Lt. Claude
married Betty Lou Rutledge of San Antonio,
Texas on October 11, 1943. He was stationed
at Thomasville, Georgia, at the time but
shortly transferred to Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina. The 404th Fighter Squadron was
formed. The Squadron was shipped to En-
gland in March 1944. Claude flew P-49
Fighter Planes. During the Normandy Inva-
sion his squadron was very active and Claude
was promoted to Captain. He was later
stationed in France and Belgium. During the
Belgium Bulge the Germans were so close to
the American Air Base that the 404th had to
abandon their air field. Each pilot flew his
mechanic out by having them sit on their laps
in the single cockpit. Claude was one of the
200 most decorated fighter pilots in World
War II. His awards included the Distinguish-
ed Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 16
Oak Leaf Clusters.

Claude returned to the States in February,
1945. He was greeted by his first daughter,
Sandra Marie, who was 3 months old. Claude
and family moved to Montgomery, Alabama
and then on to Waco, Texas. At these air
bases Claude instructed in combat flying.
Claude left the Air Force in July, 1945. He
and his family moved to Hooker County
where his parents had bought the St Onge
Place. He was very happy to be back ranching
and among his friends. Claud's Father passed
away in 1946 and his mother was killed in a
commercial airliner in 1958. Both parents are
buried at Eclipse. Claude and Lou had six
children. Sandra married David Giles and
had 1 son, Raymond. She then married
Chuck O Connor and had 2 sons, Tim and
Mike. She is now married to Bob Cordts and
has 1 daughter Mary. Virginia Lou married
Bob Thompson and has 2 sons, Jim and
Brien. Joanne married Gary Johnson and has
3 sons and 1 daughter. Dwayne, Angela Lou,
Dan and Gary Jr. Jim married Cheryl Anders
and have 3 children. Mary Jo, Christopher,
and Anita Sue. Mike married Marie Wadas.
They have one daughter, Emmylou. Claude
and his 13 year old daughter, Mary Jane, were
killed in a small plane crash south of the
home ranch August 25, 1966. Both were killed
instantly. They were buried together at
Eclipse.