ForeverMissed
Large image
His Life

A.V.C.M. JEAN OCONNOR U.S.N. (RET)

March 8, 2011

 

Jean was born on December 14, 1925 in Brooklyn, New York. He spent part of his child-hoOd growing up there until he went to go live in New Jersey at Anna Dawson's' home.

There he was welcomed and loved for many years and he  met and fell in love,with Anna Dawson.

When he was 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Navy. This was during WWII. He was an outstanding soldier  and was trained as a photographer of enemy targets.Then the Korea War began and he served his country proudly for 6 years. He  earned The American-Theater Medal; Vistor Medal WWII; Asiatic-Pacific with 2 stars; Korean Service Medal; United Nations Medal; and National Defense Service Medal. He also was awarded his first Good Conduct Award. He was discharged with honors from the Navy in 1946.

He re-enlisted in The Navy in 1946. His dedication had been focused on his career; so he remained single; but his heart belonged to only one woman.His accomplishments and dedication while in the Navy were always above the call of duty.He earned The American Theater Medal; Victory Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal with 2 Stars. During his next 6 years of service, he finally asked Anna to be his wife.

On March 13, 1959 they were married in a catholic church in New Jersey. He was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia and it wasn't long until they were expecting their first child; Barry. Shortly after having Barry, Anna was once again expecting a child and their second son, George was born.

After serving another 6 years for his country earning The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defenseman Service Medal; and his second Good Conduct Medal; he was discharged again.

In 1961 he re-enlisted for a third time in the Navy, They stationed him and his family to Mira Mar Base in San Diego Ca. Once relocated, they purchased a home in the suburb of Poway, Ca. They gave birth to a third child, this time a girl , and named her Mary.

In 1967, after serving his country throughout the Vietnam War courageously; demonstrated leadership skills and commanded with dedication and earned the National Defense Service Medal(2nd); Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device; Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon Bar; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; American Campaign Medal; Korean Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal and his fourth Good Conduct Award; he was discharged in 1971.

For the fifth time in his life, he re-enlisted in 1971 and served again for another 2 more years earning The Vietnam Service Medal (2); Vietnam Campaign Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea); Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal; and earned his 5th and 6th Good Conduct Awards.

His rank now was Master Chief - E-9. The highest rank an enlisted man can achieve in the Navy.

He re-enlisted in 1973 until discharged in 1978 honorably ,earning his 7th Good Conduct Award. He spent 5 more years and retired after 30 years of impeccable service to his country to protect our right to freedom.

He then obtained a position with a private corporation that  did only government contracts called Cubic Corp. He worked there for an additional 10 years and final retired in 1990.

He spent the rest of his free time enjoying activities with his wife, Anna, with Bingo twice a week and casino trips weekly until her health failed in 2008 and she passed away after 49 years of marriage.

The remainder of his free time, now 83 years old; was spent relaxing and always reading. If it wasn't a novel he was reading, then it was his daily newspaper he enjoyed so much.He and his son George would consistently have their 2 Bingo nights, while Barry maintained the household and prepared meals daily. He finally got to spend some time with his sons and got to know and respect them as men.

After a fight with Colon Cancer and pnumioa, he passed away at his home in Poway, Ca on February 16, 2011. He was 87 years old.

He is survived by 2 sons, Barry O'Connor and George O'Connor, 1 daughter Mary Brown O'Connor, 2 grandchildren Heather O'Connor-Webb and Robbie Brown; and 2 great-grandchildren Jacob and Cheyenne Web.

An incredible biography of a life unsurpassed by most. His mark on this world will last forever. Knowing a man of this caliber was and always will be an extreme honor.

He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Goodbye , AVCM Jean O'CONNOR U.S.N (ret)