Tom O'Brien
Football Coach, Veteran Advocate | Cincinnati, Ohio
Tom O’Brien, a Cincinnati native, began his leadership journey as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971. He played defensive end for Navy football and earned a degree in management.
O’Brien served for roughly nine years on active duty and in the Marine Corps Reserve, rising to the rank of major. His assignments took him across the nation and the globe, including deployments to California and Japan, and time at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Whether managing operations or mentoring junior officers, O’Brien earned a reputation for leading by example.
He began coaching football as an assistant coach at the Naval Academy in 1975 when he returned to Annapolis as a Marine officer. He later coached tight ends and the offensive line for the varsity team. In juggling the demands of football and the Corps, he proved that true leadership balances hard-nosed execution with loyalty to those you lead, just as the Marines teach.
O’Brien transitioned to full-time coaching in 1982, joining the University of Virginia under the legendary George Welsh. During this 15-year period, Virginia had ten consecutive winning seasons and a share of two conference championships.
In 1997, Tom O’Brien was named head coach at Boston College. He took over a program shaken by scandal, exemplifying the Marine Corps values of honor and integrity as he worked tirelessly to restore its credibility and competitiveness. O’Brien became the school’s all-time winningest coach, leading the team to eight straight bowl appearances. His leadership transformed the program and embodied the Marines’ belief in resilience and values-driven service.
From 2007 through 2012, O’Brien served as head coach at North Carolina State, taking the team to four bowl games. Following his coaching career, he worked as a football analyst for ESPN and later served as an analyst for the Navy Football Radio Broadcast Network from 2017 to 2019.
True to the Corps’ ethos, O’Brien remained committed to service. For nine years he held a position on the national board of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, where he helped lead efforts to deliver hope and holiday gifts to millions of children in need across the country. While at North Carolina State, he often accompanied team members to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base.
Tom O’Brien’s life reflects an unbroken chain of service: Mission first. People always.
jason thomas
9/11 Rescuer | Whitehall, Ohio
Jason Thomas served five years in the United States Marine Corps, rising to the rank of sergeant. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Thomas was dropping his daughter off at his mother’s home on Long Island when he heard the news of the World Trade Center attacks. The 27-year-old Thomas, having left active duty in August 2001, quickly put on his Marine uniform and rushed to help.
At Ground Zero, Thomas joined another veteran Marine, Dave Karnes, and together the two combed through the burning wreckage calling out, “Is anyone down there? United States Marines!” Their voices were heard by two trapped Port Authority police officers, Will Jimeno and John McLoughlin. Thomas and Karnes directed emergency responders to the officers’ location, playing a key role in their rescue. The two men were among only twenty individuals pulled out alive from the debris.
Thomas left the scene anonymously and did not seek recognition. He did not even tell his five children about his rescues. However, his story later emerged and gained national attention, leading him to be portrayed — initially under the wrong identity— in Oliver Stone’s 2006 film “World Trade Center.” When the real Thomas was identified, a re-edit and acknowledgment followed, highlighting his heroism.
Thomas continued his service after 9/11 by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, eventually rising to the rank of technical sergeant. His career has since included serving as a court security officer at the Ohio Supreme Court. Thomas also tours the country as a motivational speaker, sharing his experiences from the 9/11 rescue missions and championing values of courage, service, and leadership.
Jason Thomas didn’t wait to be called; he showed up. That instinct to serve, without fanfare or hesitation, is the very spirit of the United States Marine Corps.