David J. O'Brien was born in 1919 in New York. He resided in Cayuga County, New York prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on September 1, 1942 in Syracuse, New York. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed in metal working and also as Single, without dependents. David served as a Sergeant and Gunner on B-25C #42-64757, 11th Bomber Squadron, 341st Bomber Group, Medium, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

B-25C #42-64757 was hit and shot down by ground anti-aircraft fire. David was declared "Missing In Action" in this crash during the war. He was the only member of the crew that didn't survive. His name is commemorated on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.

Sgt O'Brien was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov