World War II Honoree

Orris Volz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ida Grove, Iowa

Honored By

Ida Grove American Legion

MEMBER OF THE 316TH MEDICAL BATTALION, 5TH ARMY SUPPORTING 91ST POWDER RIVER DIVISION THROUGH THE ARNO RIVER AND GOTHIC LINE CAMPAIGNS AND HEAVY FIGHTING SOUTH OF BOLOGNA. THE 316TH LITTER-BEARERS WERE TO EVACUATE PATIENTS FROM THE BATTALION AID STATIONS TO THE REAR. THEY LIVED ON THE FRONT LINE WITH THE INFANTRY, SOMETIMES AHEAD OF IT. TIME AFTER TIME THE LITTER-BEARERS CRAWLED OUT UNDER FIRE TO PICK UP WOUNDED, CARRIED THEM BY FOOT OVER GNARLED, TWISTING MOUNTAIN TRAILS TO MEET WAITING AMBULANCES. THE MEDICS ARE PART OF A TEAM WITH THE INFANTRYMEN.