Meritorious Service Medal
- Awarded on: August 30, 1991
- Invested on: March 12, 1992
Rank: Colonel
Colonel O'Brien, was the Assistant Chief of Staff to the Operational Section during the Gulf Crisis. He was both the architect and developer of the National Defence Headquarters Crisis Management System, and in large part was responsible for the structure and content of the plan detailing the organization and procedures to be used during a crisis. Throughout the Gulf crisis, he provided focus and leadership for the successful functioning of the Crisis Action Team.
