Donnel O'Brien experienced what the word affliction can mean to the human body.

Donnel A. O'Brien was born in Lamont, Iowa, in 1906; however, information regarding his parents and early life is not available. O'Brien had two brothers, Fred and Jack; other siblings have not been identified. In addition to grammar school, Donnel's education included two years of high school, which likely occurred in Iowa. O'Brien subsequently married and the couple had children prior to their divorce. About 1935 Donnel moved to Santa Cruz and for the next six years worked in the local plastering trade.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, O'Brien registered for the draft and was inducted into the army at the Presidio of Monterey on May 3, 1942. He was assigned to the Army Air Corps and sent to Shepherd Field, Texas, for basic training.

On May 29, while in Texas, O'Brien was stricken with what was described as "an affliction." When the condition became more severe, he was transferred to O'Reilly General Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. During the last four months of his life he was paralyzed with his arms and legs confined within wire splints.

On November 5, 1942, Donnel O'Brien died; his body was sent to Lamont, Iowa, for his funeral and internment arrangements.

(NARA2; SCSn December 14, 1942)