Patrick Terence O'Day
Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Patrick Terence O'Day was born on 2 March 1985 in Scotland.

O'Day married his high school sweetheart, Shauna, shortly before heading overseas and was looking forward to the birth of their first child, due in September. He was drawn to the Marines because of their allure as one of the toughest of the military branches, said his wife, Shauna.

During boot camp, he developed stress fractures in his legs. But rather than accept a medical discharge, he spent six months in a rehabilitation platoon, then returned to boot camp and completed his training as a tank gunner.

Marine Lance Cpl O'Day was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms, CA.

O'Day was killed during convoy operations on 25 March 2003 when his tank plunged off a cliff into the Euphrates River in Iraq. He had been classified as Missing in Action until his identification dogtags were found washed ashore. His tank was later found lying upside down on the bed of the river and his body was eventually recovered.

"He was proud to be a Marine," his wife said. "He liked their reputation and he liked their discipline."

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Death and Burial

Lance Corporal Patrick Terence O'Day was killed in action on 25 March 2003. He is buried at Santa Rosa Memorial Park in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA. His grave marker lists his rank as Corporal.