World War II Honoree

Clayton F. Orne

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Southport Island, Maine

Honored By

Sarah Sherman Brewer

Relationship

Friend

He was part of the first draft that left Southport and was called to service in March of 1941, at the age of 25. He received his training at Fort Dix, Camp Blanding and Fort Ord. Served with the 103rd Field Artillery Battalion. He was involved in many battles and invasions of the Northern Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Luzon and New Guinea. He served as a heavy machine gunner and as a machine gun maintenance man. He also drove trucks, transporting personnel and equipment; and secured, sorted and distributed regimental mail at one point during his service. He was hit near his heart by flack from a Japanese mortar in Luzon and was put on a plane that flew him south of Manila to a field hospital, where he slowly recuperated. In August of 1945 he was discharged with malaria after four years, and five months of service. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal.