KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com | VA Hospital in Big Spring Could Change its Name

VA Hospital in Big Spring Could Change its Name

By Anayeli Ruiz
NewsWest 9

BIG SPRING - An effort is underway to rename a West Texas hospital and honor a local veteran. U.S. Senator John Cornyn has introduced a bill to rename the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Big Spring after a war hero. This plan has been in the works for about a year, but now it is taking a big step forward after this bill was recently filed in Congress. 

Cornyn's bill would rename the Big Spring VA Hospital after George H. O’Brien Jr.

O’Brien enlisted in the Marine Core after graduating from Big Spring High School and during the Korean War he was shot in the arm and struck down by the concussions of grenades, but he refused to evacuate and continued leading his men.

After the war ended President Eisenhower presented him with the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration. He is the only veteran from Howard County to ever receive that honor. 

O’Brien later became a Petroleum Geologist in the Midland area and he volunteered many hours at the Big Spring VA Hospital.

He passed away in 2005.

The bill still has to go before Congress but could be voted on in the next few months which would give the hospital a new name by the end of next year.