WWII Navy Veteran Honored With Street Sign Ceremony In South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - On Saturday, South Brunswick dedicated a Veteran Street Sign in honor of Philip Joseph O’Brien, honoring his distinguished service to the United States Navy during World War II.

The ceremony was held at the corner of Cambridge Road and Palmer Road, where family, friends, and local leaders came together to celebrate O’Brien’s legacy.

O’Brien was born in New York, New York in 1923. He enlisted in the United States Navy on January 13, 1942, and over the course of his military career, held the ratings of Apprentice Seaman, Seaman Second Class, Seaman First Class, and Coxswain.

He was stationed at numerous facilities including the Naval Reserve Station in New York, the Naval Training Station in Newport, Rhode Island, Section Base Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, Section Base Savannah in Georgia, Naval Air Stations in Beaufort, South Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida, the Amphibious Training Base at Fort Pierce, Florida, and the Landing Craft School. O’Brien further served with Landing Craft Infantry (Large) Flotilla 13 aboard the USS LCI-736, and later at the U.S. Naval Reserve Station at Lido Beach, Long Island, New York.

Following his honorable discharge in January 1946, he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. On August 27, 1947, O’Brien reenlisted in the Navy as a Seaman First Class, successfully completing the Navy’s training course for Yeoman Third Class (YN3).

His most significant duty assignment during this enlistment was with PAMI SERVLANT at the Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. He was honorably discharged on June 6, 1950, receiving the Naval Occupational Service Medal and a recommendation for reenlistment.

In 1956, O’Brien became a resident of Kendall Park, South Brunswick, where he raised his family and remained until 1989.

Family members in attendance included O’Brien’s daughter, Tracey Domotor, and her husband Richard; daughter Sheila O’Brien Kubricht; grandsons Richard Domotor Jr., Brandon Domotor and his wife Mel, and Sean Winn; granddaughter Heather McClain and her husband Daniel; and great-grandchildren Blake, Cole, and Trace McClain, along with Dylan Domotor.

They joined Township officials in honoring his remarkable service and his lasting connection to the South Brunswick community.

Representing the Township were Mayor Charlie Carley, Councilwoman Jo Hochman, Councilwoman Ann Grover, and Councilwoman Patty Germain.

“By adding Philip Joseph O’Brien’s name to our Veteran Street Sign Program, we honor his bravery, sacrifice, and dedication to our nation while ensuring that his story continues to inspire generations in South Brunswick,” Carley said.