One Killed, Another Missing; Third Is A Prisoner Of Nazis-This Day In Norwood History-March 22, 1945

A local Marine has been killed in action on Iwo Jima, a Norwood soldier, who had previously been reported missing has turned up a prisoner of war of the Germans, while a third local serviceman has been reported missing in action in the Philippines, according to word received here by their families.

They are:

SGT RAYMOND F. O’BRIEN, killed in action on Iwo Jima.

PVT. DANIEL J. GRIFFIN, prisoner of war in Germany.

SGT. EDWARD HAYES, missing in action in the Philippines campaign.

Sgt Raymond F O’Brien Norwood High School graduate and one of four brothers in the service was killed in action with the 4th Marine Division in the battle of Iwo Jima according to word received from the Navy Department yesterday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James L. O’Brien, formerly of Norwood and now residing at 1824 Washington street Dedham.

Sgt O’Brien’s brother. Pvt. Lawrence O’Brien. 29. has been missing in action on the Western Front in Europe since January 23rd.

Sgt O’Brien paid the supreme sacrifice on February 14th on the bloody sands of Iwo after participating in two previous campaigns with the fighting Leathernecks of the 4th Division. He was a leader of a machine gun squad, and in July of last year assisted in raising the American flag over the Island of Saipan after 22 days of intense fighting. He received the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon as a member of the 4th Division for its capture of Saipan and Tinian.

Sgt O’Brien entered the service in 1942 and received his training at Camp LeJeune North Carolina and later as a Marine Raider at Camp Pendleton, Cal. He went overseas in December of 1943.

Sgl O’Brien was born in Norwood and lived most of his life here graduating from Norwood High School. Prior to entering the service he worked at Mary Hartigan’s in Dedham and at Holliston Mill.

Besides Lawrence other brothers in the service are Leo, also a Marine Sergeant in the Pacific, and Pfc Robert, U S Army, who has just arrived in France.

WRITES FROM PRISON CAMP

Pvt Griffin’s parents Mr and Mrs. Thomas Griffin of 279 Nahatan Street, received a card Saturday morning from their son, in which he said that he was all right and that there was no cause to worry. The card was written from a German prison camp and it is the usual type furnished by the German government by which a prisoner can send a message home.

This was the first word which Mr and Mrs. Griffin had received concerning their son since he was reported by the War Department as missing in action in the European theatre since December 21st of last year. The official announcement from the War Department was received on January 10th.

Pvt Griffin, who is 20 years old, has been in the service only nine months when he was taken prisoner. He was inducted into the Army a year ago the 29th of this month and he went overseas last October. He was serving with an anti-tank unit.

A graduate of Norwood High School he worked at Bendix before entering the service.

MISSING ON LUZON

Mr and Mrs. Dennis Hayes of Cross street received word Saturday that their son was missing in action on Luzon in the Philippines since February 11th. The information was relayed here by Sgt. Hayes’ wife, the former Louise Hoffman, who makes her home in St. Petersburg, Fla with their daughter Sandra. The couple were married two years ago.

Sgt. Hayes, who is 21, has been serving with the 504th Paratroopers. Overseas a year and a half, he previously served in New Guinea and on Leyte Island in the Philippines.

A veteran of five years of active service, Sgt. Hayes was a member of the National Guard and was called up when that organization was federalized. He received his training at Fort Benning, Ga.

Sgt. Hayes is a native of Norwood and was graduated from Norwood High School, The oldest of four children, he has two sisters. Ellen and Margaret, and one brother, Dennis. His father is a veteran of the last war.

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)