World War 1 Veteran Honored In O’Brien Oval’s Rededication

In recognition of Independence Day,  Councilman Ritchie Torres rededicated the O’Brien Oval in Tremont on Tuesday with the family of  the late Thomas A O’Brien, a captain who served in World War I and grew up on Burnside Avenue in a time when Victorian homes graced the hillside community that popped up around a small train station.

Captain Thomas A. O’Brien was born in 1884 and grew up at 280 Burnside Avenue, just a few blocks away. O’Brien was killed in World War I on October 12, 1918, less than a month before Armistice and the end of the war. On December 1, 1924, the Board of Alderman named this park “to pay tribute to the memory of one who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War”.

The Oval is located in the historic central Bronx neighborhood of Tremont. This area was farmland when the New York and Harlem Railroad opened a station in 1841. The station soon became the center of the village, which was named Tremont in the 1850s by postmaster Hiram Tarbox. Tremont refers to the presence of three major hills in the area, or three mounts: Claremont, Mount Eden, and Mount Hope; these hills also give their names to three of the many small neighborhoods that comprise the Tremont area.

O’Brien grew up at 280 Burnside Avenue, just a few blocks away from the Oval. He was killed in the second battle of the Marne, a month before Armistice. In recognition of  Independence Day, Council Member Torres has arranged for the Parks Department to create a new sign for the park to commemorate Captain O’Brien’s patriotic service to our great nation.

“Tremont has an important place in Bronx history and its with great pride that I recognize one of its local heroes, Captain Thomas A. O’Brien,” said Councilman Torres..  Captain O’Brien died in service to our nation, and I am incredibly proud to be re-dedicating the O’Brien Oval to honor his legacy.”

Photo: Council Member Torres was joined by the nephew of Captain O’Brien, Vincent Daly, and his family. C/o The Office of Councilman Torres

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