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    O’Connor Family from Toledo: A history of service: Army General’s son pursues the same path as he returns to family’s Midwest hometown

    O'Connor Gives Back

    Photo By Spc. Brandon Babbitt | Brig. Gen. John “Jack” O’Connor, director of logistics, Third Army, stands for a...... read more read more

    TOLEDO, IA, UNITED STATES

    06.30.2010

    Story by Spc. Brandon Babbitt 

    U.S. Army Central   

    TOLEDO, Ohio - The O’Connor family from Northwest Ohio is a group that prides themselves on spirituality and hard work, while giving back to their community.

    Brig. Gen. John “Jack” O’Connor, commanding general, Army Materiel Command-Southwest, Asia and director of logistics, Third Army, grew up in a tight-knit family as the youngest of six children (two girls and four boys).

    In 1977, being the last to leave the nest with his parents retiring to Florida, O’Connor accompanied them and finished up high school. After graduating, he enrolled in the University of Miami, the home of the Hurricanes.

    He completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1984 and completed the Reserve Officer Training Corps, both at MU.

    Upon graduation, he earned his commission as a second lieutenant transportation officer in the U.S. Army.

    “It was hard to leave my home and that support system I had around me in Toledo,” said O’Connor. “Even though I was not a seasoned military brat, like my kids with over 10 moves under their belt, the move to Florida as a teenager was an opportunity to spread my wings and gain some early independence while getting a great education.”

    O’Connor and his wife Andree have two children together, son, Ryan 18, and daughter, Meryl 16.

    Ryan recently graduated from a high school in the local community outside of Fort Eustis, Virginia. He is now headed to the O’Connor home state of Ohio to attend the University of Toledo.

    “My brother, Bill, a Navy submarine veteran, lives in Toledo and has always played a big part in Ryan’s life as his Godfather and a mentor to him,” said O’Connor. “As a father, I feel very comfortable with my son going back to my hometown because I know he will have a lot of people there who care about him and will introduce him to that great Midwest living and culture.”

    O’Connor’s son will attend ROTC at the university, and follow in his dad’s military footsteps as he seeks the same brotherhood and camaraderie the Army has provided the senior O’Connor for over 26 years.

    It would seem as if there is something to the city of Toledo when it comes to producing general officers.

    Two general officers, friends and colleagues of Brig. Gen. O’Connor, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert H. McMahon, director of Central Command Deployment and Distribution Center, and Maj. Gen. James Rogers, commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, both hail from Toledo.

    “What are the odds that three generals, all from Toledo, would be serving forward at Camp Arifjan at the same time,” O’Connor asked with a chuckle.

    “When I met my wife, while we were both working in Germany in 1987, we married the same year after four months of dating. My boss at the time, retired Maj. Gen. Tom Arwood, was my best man. I was a first lieutenant at the time, and yes, the general was from Toledo too.

    “So my general officer connection to the Glass City goes way back,” he added.

    O’Connor says that he believes his strong Midwest values are a direct result of a cultural upbringing in an environment of teamwork and commitment. He is also reminded by the importance in a Service to Nation as he looks across his family and thinks of those who have or are serving in the Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.

    O’Connor thanks his parents, his dad, William II, a WWII Navy veteran and career fireman, and mother, Betty Jane, a career nurse, for the family’s commitment to give back to their communities and work in the public sector.

    “I really owe it to my mom and dad for always instilling in us the importance of giving back and to do things for the greater good,” said O’Connor with a smile. “I am very proud that my son is following in these very footsteps. It makes me feel like the important things my parents taught me are being handed down to the next generation.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.30.2010
    Date Posted: 06.30.2010 04:07
    Story ID: 52173
    Location: TOLEDO, IA, US

    Web Views: 18,634
    Downloads: 333

    PUBLIC DOMAIN