| For other uses, see O'Connor (disambiguation) |
O'Connor was a man who, posing as a Vietnam War veteran, attended Curtis Hoyle's group therapy sessions and spouted extremist rhetoric. He had also befriended Lewis Wilson, who came to share in his views, but when the latter found out about his falsified military background, a conflict had then arose which resulted in Wilson murdering O'Connor.
Biography[]
Military Career[]
Stolen Valor[]
- "You know that Silver Star he always talks about? The story that goes with it? He never served in Vietnam. He didn't sign up till '77 and never saw combat."
- ―Curtis Hoyle to Lewis Wilson[src]
Originally from Texas, O'Connor enlisted in the United States Army in 1977, where he had completed a brief term, in which he never saw combat before he was then discharged in 1979.[1] O'Connor began to falsely present himself as a Vietnam War veteran, while buying fake evidence to support his falsified military history.[2]
Group Therapy[]
First Session[]
- "A time is gonna come when we have to defend ourselves and and put things back to how they were. You love this country, you better be ready, 'cause the next war's gonna be here. Blood will flow in the streets."
- ―O'Connor to Curtis Hoyle[src]
O'Connor shares his rhetoric with the veteran therapy group
O'Connor joined a group therapy for the U.S. military veterans, led by Curtis Hoyle, intending to spread his rhetoric to other veterans. Attending the session at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, O'Connor told the veterans that the world has not changed a bit, claiming that the Christian American patriots are the real persecuted minority in the United States. Isaac Lange expressed his annoyance by his rhetoric, which led to a tension between the two, until Hoyle stopped them both, as he thought that everyone is allowed to speak their mind. O'Connor expressed his disdain for liberals, claiming that they were ruining the country by taking away the rights and weapons from people like them.
O'Connor listens to Lewis Wilson
As Hoyle then asked the others to share their opinion, O'Connor listened to Lewis Wilson, who felt like he had no place in the country he fought for. O'Connor said that the government is afraid, since they spent years training an army before abandoning it. Continuing his line of thinking, O'Connor tried to rally people, saying that someday they would have to defend themselves and put things how they used to be. He tried to appeal to their love for the country, claiming that the next war will be happening on the U.S. territory, which Wilson backed up, calling their government a tyranny.[3]
Second Session[]
- "Read this, kid. You're right to feel betrayed. And there's plenty men who feel just the same. This touchy-feely bullshit ain't gonna solve nothing."
- ―O'Connor to Lewis Wilson[src]
At the next therapy session, O'Connor listened to Lewis Wilson telling the story about one of his missions in the United States Army, when he saw one of the helicopters being hit by a friendly fire. Wilson then elaborated, saying that the press officer lied about it being an enemy ambush, which greatly annoyed O'Connor in particular. Wilson then told the group that he had been seeing a nightmare where he was the one being misrepresented by his superiors and wondered how can he fight if he can trust his own comrades. O'Connor said that in that case, one must take matters into their own hands and although Isaac Lange was annoyed again, Curtis Hoyle agreed with him.
O'Connor gives Lewis Wilson a NRA pamphlet
As O'Connor sarcastically remarked that Hoyle finally started seeing sense, Hoyle said that they were not the only soldiers who were betrayed by their own country. O'Connor listened to Hoyle talking about his friend who risked his life to save Hoyle, and he decided to take matters into his own hands to change his life for the better. At the end of the session, O'Connor approached Wilson, giving him a National Rifle Association pamphlet, which claimed that having a gun is a fundamental right for every American. O'Connor told Wilson that he is right to feel betrayed and the group sessions will not solve anything, despite Hoyle telling him otherwise.[2]
Third Session[]
- "I didn't get a thank you. I got the finger. I got spit on. But the Vice President pinned a silver star on me."
"Is that why you served? For gratitude?"
"April, 1968. About twenty miles west of Tam Kỳ. I killed thirteen of those gooks with their own grenades. 'For gallantry in action.' You guys have no idea how good you got it." - ―O'Connor and Curtis Hoyle[src]
At another session, O'Connor ranted about his supposed military service in Vietnam, in which he received a Silver Star from Hubert Humphrey, however, he still felt like he was not treated with the respect he deserved. Curtis Hoyle asked if O'Connor served for gratitude, to which he told him about his service near Tam Kỳ, during which he killed multiple enemies with their own grenades and complained that other veterans had no idea how good they had been treated. Isaac Lange argued that they deserved gratitude for what they did for the country, before Hoyle asked O'Connor what he fought for and why did he join the therapy group.
O'Connor replied that he was merely doing his duty and he felt like other veterans needed to hear an alternative view and see the real world that does not care about them. As O'Connor was about to rant about "real Americans" being mistreated, Hoyle asked him about Lewis Wilson, who was absent at the meeting. In response, O'Connor praised Wilson, saying that he is smart enough to see the truth that words are not enough to win the fight. However, Hoyle insisted that there was no winning the fight, telling about his corpsman training with the goat named Cassius. Hoyle elaborated that he had witnessed that goat being blown apart so they could all rebuild him repeatedly, comparing that repetition of pain and rebuilding to O'Connor's views, and said that Cassius died in the end.[1]
Protest with Wilson[]
O'Connor and Lewis Wilson protest at the courthouse
O'Connor was joined by Lewis Wilson outside the Bronx County Courthouse, where the two protested for a teacher who carried a gun into the classroom and was put on trial. Wilson remarked that the justice system only takes away people's freedom, which O'Connor agreed to, while handing over the flyers. They were approached by Fahey, who questioned if O'Connor and Wilson had the permition for a protest, but Wilson claimed that they had any right to do what they do. O'Connor explained to Fahey that they are trying to support a good man, who only went against the system, but Fahey ordered them to leave the premises immediately.
Wilson tried to reason with Fahey, claiming that what they do is not a protest, so they do not need a permition, but Fahey still insisted that they cannot continue. O'Connor told Wilson that they should comply and offered him a cup of coffee, however, Wilson continued to argue with Fahey, claiming that he did not break the law and the NYPD cannot abuse their force like this. O'Connor pleaded with Wilson to comply but Wilson refused to move, so Fahey falsely accused Wilson of trying to reach for his weapon. O'Connor then decided to leave Wilson on his own, while he was apprehended by Fahey and taken into custody.[1]
Confrontation and Death[]
O'Connor talks with Lewis Wilson at his house
- "You have my records? Where'd you get my records from? The internet? You know... the Jews run the internet."
"What's the name of the airbase outside of Tam Kỳ? Well, you could google it. But if you were there, you would know." - ―O'Connor and Lewis Wilson[src]
At his house, O'Connor was visited by Lewis Wilson, who was bailed out by Curtis Hoyle after being arrested. O'Connor joked about Wilson being arrested and offered him a beer, saying that the NYPD had not changed a bit. As O'Connor was about to tell him a story about him being spat on after returning from Vietnam, Wilson suddenly told him that he knows about O'Connor's falsified military records. Wilson stated that O'Connor never was in Vietnam but O'Connor tried to dismiss his point, claiming that the Jews run the internet and falsify everything.
O'Connor dies from Lewis Wilson's attack
Wilson, however, then asked him to name the air base outside of Tam Kỳ, as he should have knew that if he actually served in Vietnam. O'Connor was unable to answer the question, so Wilson told him that the answer was Chu Lai, to which Wilson tried to explain himself that he got too old to remember such things. Wilson responded by calling him a liar and saying that he cannot disrespect the soldiers by making up stories about his service, to which O'Connor demanded Wilson to leave his house. Wilson then lost his temper and punched O'Connor, which resulted in a scuffle, during which O'Connor tried to hit Wilson with a knife. However, he lost to Wilson who proceeded to repeatedly stab O'Connor over and over, until he bled out in the arm chair, screamed at Wilson to get out, and died.[1]
Legacy[]
Lewis Wilson's Breakdown[]
| This section requires expansion |
- "There's a dead guy in that chair. Seem like he's been there for a while."
- ―Curtis Hoyle to Lewis Wilson[src]
To be added
Personality[]
- "He's a fraud and a liar, Lewis. He didn't serve, not like you. And he's not worth your respect."
- ―Curtis Hoyle to Lewis Wilson[src]
O'Connor was an angry man with a strong sense of persecution, seeing those who suffered from mental health issues as weak and in needing of a strong hand to force them to act as O'Connor felt men were supposed to. O'Connor had little sympathy for the men he encountered, dismissing their trauma and the struggles that come with it as being simply because they weren't tough enough and sneered at people like Curtis Hoyle for not being tougher on them and seeing the modern generation as weak compared to his own.
Despite all his claims, O'Connor's behavior was nothing but bluster. He loudly spoke about his service in Vietnam and his experience as a battle hardened veteran who earned a Silver Star for his actions when he didn't serve until well after the war had ended and never saw combat, never mind do anything that would earn him such a prestigious commendation. O'Connor possessed a number of far right-wing views that he was eager to express loudly at every opportunity, such as claiming that white males were an oppressed minority, supporting vigilante behavior and the right to bear arms, dismissing mental health issues and also a conspiracy theorist and anti-semite.
While he was mainly abrasive and unpleasant, O'Connor could be surprisingly charismatic and seems to have tailored his rhetoric to appeal to people like Lewis Wilson who were at their lowest and most uncertain point and desperate for someone to offer guidance. Ultimately, O'Connor was a callous, cowardly and deeply unpleasant man who used people with serious issues as a way to bolster his own ego and ended up paying a serious price for it.
Facilities[]
- O'Connor Residence: O'Connor lived in a house in New York City, where he was visited by Lewis Wilson, who confronted O'Connor for lying to him. Wilson then killed O'Connor in his home.
- St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church: O'Connor attended Curtis Hoyle's regular support group meetings at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. During meetings, he spread conspiracy theorist rhetoric and took Lewis Wilson under his wing.
Relationships[]
Allies[] |
Enemies[]
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Appearances[]
In chronological order:
The Punisher | Episode 1.01: 3 AM- The Punisher | Episode 1.03: Kandahar
- The Punisher | Episode 1.06: The Judas Goat
- The Punisher | Episode 1.07: Crosshairs (corpse)
- The Punisher | Episode 1.09: Front Towards Enemy (corpse)
