Orville enlisted in February 1941 - ten months before America went to war. He initially worked on the flight line maintaining P-47's, then on the P-38 before applying for aircrew and training as a gunner. In August 1944 he flew across to join the Group at Hardwick where he took part in 35 combat missions Sept '44 - March 1945. During the Battle of the Bulge they flew low level missions to supply the troops and he remembered a lot of mid-air collisions. Following his discharge from the service he resumed his education becoming a teacher, coach, Superintendent of Schools and -finally - Principal of an Elementary School for 23 years.



Air Medal 5 clusters