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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Lieutenant · U.S. Naval Reserve Force

Orlando Henderson Petty

Lieutenant Orlando Henderson Petty, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 11, 1918 in Boise de Belleau, France during World War I.

World War I June 11, 1918

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force, Lieutenant Orlando Henderson Petty received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 11, 1918 in Boise de Belleau, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Medical Corps, attached to the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marines. Petty was 44 years old.

Petty was born on February 20, 1874 in Harrison, Hamilton County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Petty died on June 2, 1932, at the age of 58. He is buried at St. Timothy's Church Yard Cemetery in Roxborough, Pennsylvania.

Petty is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.

★ Rescue & Lifesaving

Official Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism while serving with 5th Regiment, U.S. Marines, in France during the attack in the Bois de Belleau, 11 June 1918. While under heavy fire of high-explosive and gas shells in the town of Lucy, where his dressing station was located, Lt. Petty attended to and evacuated the wounded under most trying conditions. Having been knocked to the ground by an exploding gas shell which tore his mask, Lt. Petty discarded the mask and courageously continued his work. His dressing station being hit and demolished, he personally helped carry Capt. Williams, wounded, through the shellfire to a place of safety.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

How he died

  • Manner of death: suicide
  • Age at death: 58
  • Resting place: St. Timothy's Church Yard Cemetery

Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Cadiz — map
  • Died: Philadelphia — map
  • Buried: Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →

Timeline

  1. February 20, 1874
    Born in Harrison, Hamilton County, Ohio
  2. June 11, 1918
    Act of valor — Boise de Belleau, France
    Age 44. Medical Corps, attached to the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marines
  3. June 2, 1932
    Died
    Age 58.
  4. Resting place
    St. Timothy's Church Yard Cemetery
    Roxborough, Pennsylvania

Biography

Orlando Henderson Petty (February 20, 1874 – June 2, 1932) was an American physician and naval officer. As a surgeon in the United States Naval Reserve, he received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.

From the Wikipedia article “Orlando Henderson Petty”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More World War I recipients from Pennsylvania

Joseph Henry Thompson Major · Army World War I · 1918 Joel Thompson Boone Lieutenant Commander · Navy World War I · 1918 JM James I. Mestrovitch Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ OS Oscar Schmidt Jr. Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy World War I · 1918 DS Dwite H. Schaffner First Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.