Photo by Eric Ayres Wheeling VFW Vice Commander Chuck Ryan speaks Wednesday on Wheeling Island during a ceremony honoring Wheeling native SP5 Patrick Joseph O’Shaughnessy, who was killed in action at age 22 while serving in Vietnam in 1969. A military banner honoring O’Shaughnessy was erected near the corner of Zane and North York streets.

WHEELING — SP5 Patrick O’Shaughnessy of Wheeling was just a few weeks away from returning home from Vietnam when he was killed in action while saving the life of a comrade on June 29, 1969. He was only 22 years of age.

On Wednesday, family and friends joined together with community leaders on Wheeling Island to pay tribute to O’Shaughnessy during a special veterans banner dedication.

Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder welcomed the guests in attendance during the dedication of the banner, which now hangs above the intersection of Zane and North York streets on Wheeling Island in O’Shaughnessy’s honor.

Magruder introduced The Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, to lead the group in prayer. The mayor thanked Wheeling Operations Superintendent Steve Johnston and C.J. Rouscher, also of the Operations Department, who has hung military banners from a bucket truck at locations throughout the city.

The Military Banner Program in Wheeling started about a year ago, and already more than 220 banners have been hung. Coordinator John Larch said the initial idea was to make the banners available for veterans and active military personnel.

“It never occurred to me that we would have the privilege and honor of remembering fallen soldiers who were born and raised in Wheeling,” Larch said. “We’re grateful for the families who have participated so far.”

Family members of O’Shaughnessy, including his sister and brother, traveled from out of state to attend Wednesday’s ceremony.

“I am so proud of this community,” said his sister, Sallie O’Shaughnessy, who came from North Carolina for Wednesday’s dedication. “I’ve always appreciated what has been done for our family. This is wonderful. To have these people come out and honor my brother, it’s very significant for our family.”

Their brother, Tim O’Shaughnessy, traveled from St. Louis to attend the ceremony and share a few words during the dedication.

“My family is really appreciative,” Tim O’Shaughnessy said, noting that in addition to the banner for his brother Patrick on Zane Street, the family has banners honoring another brother, Michael, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, across the street, and their father, John, a veteran of World War II who served the U.S. Air Force, further down the street. “It is an excellent program.”

Tim O’Shaughnessy said those who go overseas to fight for their country do so for a purpose.

“For all who served – thank you for making us a better country than what we originally were before,” he said. “Everyone that goes there goes for a reason, and Pat went for a reason, just like everyone else.”

Wheeling VFW Vice Commander Chuck Ryan also served in Vietnam, but in the U.S. Marine Corps. O’Shaughnessy served in the U.S. Army.

“It’s always an honor when we can pay tribute to one of our fallen brothers,” Ryan said. “It doesn’t make any difference what branch of the service you’re in. When you’re in the military, you’re all brothers and sisters. We take care of each other.”

Ryan said O’Shaughnessy’s name not only appears on the banner on Wheeling Island, but also on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“Fifty-six years ago, he was taken from us,” Ryan said. “His name is listed on the Vietnam Wall on panel W21, line 34.”

O’Shaughnessy was a resident of North Erie Street and a 1965 graduate of Wheeling Central Catholic High School. He was described as “rugged young man” with a “kind, gentle and generous nature.” He was active in basketball, track, baseball and wrestling, and played football all through high school and was tri-captain of the team his senior year.

After high school, O’Shaughnessy attended Youngstown State University for one year on a football scholarship and enrolled at West Liberty State College the following year. However, he left the valley to join the Army in 1967.

“In the spring, we celebrate Memorial Day. The O’Shaughnessy family celebrates Memorial Day everyday,” Ryan said, saluting them as one of the local Gold Star familes. “We must never forget that. We must never forget our fallen heroes.”

The Wheeling Military Banner Program has truly taken root over the past year, Ryan said, noting that the citizens of the community and area veterans organizations have rallied behind this program.

Dave Schoenian, president of the Moundsville Honor Guard, said that in his travels, he brags about the kind of support the Ohio Valley gives its veterans. Schoenian said he has been to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington several times and has met with military families on numerous occasions. He said he has even had the humbling opportunity to meet with the families of soldiers who died under his command while serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.

“When the call from our country was heard, our comrade Patrick O’Shaughnessy answered,” Schoenian said. “Self was forgotten for the cause of the greater good.”

The Moundsville Veterans Honor Guard paid salute to O’Shaughnessy’s bravery and selfless service to his country with a rifle salute and playing of “Taps.”

Applications continue to be accepted to honor any veteran or active military serviceman or servicewoman through the Wheeling Military Banner Program. For information, visit https://troopbanners.com/wheeling/ or call 304-281-8811.