More detail on this person: It is with extreme sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Lt. Col. Thomas Peter McBrien, USMC Retired. Tom, age 84, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on March 24th, 2022, in Myrtle Beach, SC. A lifelong model of courage and integrity, Tom was a bright spark in this world and will be deeply missed. Tom spent his childhood in the lovely bay town of Northport, NY. After high school, Tom attended SUNY Agricultural and Technical Institute at Farmingdale, NY earning his AAS in Aircraft Operations in 1957. From 1957-1959, he attended flight training as a Naval Aviation Cadet with the United States Naval Reserves. Upon graduation, he transitioned into the United States Marine Corps, where he continued his aviation career for 22 years. Tom finished out is military career as the Special Plans Officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and earned his MA in National Security Studies from Georgetown University. LtCol McBrien's tours of duty included two in Atsugi Japan, and one each in Dominican Republic, Chu Lai/Da Nang, RVN, USS Tripoli, RVN. During his tour in Dominican Republic, Tom was shot and severely wounded while flying rescue missions in UH-1E helicopters. After 18 days of hospitalization, he returned to his troops to lead and resume flying combat commitments. He earned a Purple Heart. Other military awards he received during his esteemed career included Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (16) awards, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Stars, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Bronze Star with "V" for valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/MC Commendation Medal with "V", Presidential Unit Citation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and JCS Service Badge. Tom flew a total of 4,092 hours in a variety of military platforms including T-34B, T-28B/C, O-1B/C, OV-10, C-117 props, UH-34D, OH-43D, UH-1E, CH-46D, MH-53D, Ah-1J helicopters, T-2V, F9F-8, TF-9J, F-4D/F-6A, A-4A/B/C/E/T, T-39 jets. The A-4 was his favorite to fly. Tom was a political and fiscal conservative and was always incredibly proud of his service to America. After retiring from the Marines in 1981, he worked in Instructional Systems Development for Honeywell, completing his service to the company in 2015 as a T-45A simulator instructor in NAS Meridian, MS. Outside the office, for 21 years, Tom played the role of loving caretaker for Meridian's Lion & Harp Bed and Breakfast, run by him and his wife Janet. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Janet McBrien of Myrtle Beach, SC; his children: Kelly Taber (Ryan) of Dale City, VA; Lori Hammond (Mike) of Conway, SC; Jenny Romano (Chris, former Marine) of Maineville, OH; CMSGT Mark Barton, USAF-Retired (Carol) of Port St. Lucie, FL; his brothers: Frank McBrien (Lynn) of VT and Bill McBrien of FL; his grandchildren: Dean Taber, Sean Hammond, Miranda Romano-Campisano (Frankie), Madison Toomey (Dan), 2nd Lt. Julia Romano-Mitchell, US Army (Ryan SGT, US Army), Cpl Morgan Romano, USMC, Tommy Romano, Alex Barton and great grandchild, Emma Hammond.
This information was last updated 03/31/2022
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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