World War II Honoree

Orus A. Bearden

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Wichita Falls, Texas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

WORKED AT CONSOLIDATED AIRCRAFT CORPORATION IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA IN THE AVIATION SHEET METAL TRADE. LATER, VOLUNTEERED FOR MILITARY SERVICE AND JOINED THE 10TH LIGHT DIVISION (PACK, ALPINE) AT CAMP HALE AT PANDO, COLORADO. HIS DIVISION STAGED AT CAMP PATRICK HENRY AT ORIANA, VIRGINIA ON DECEMBER 27, 1944 AWAITING OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT. SAILED FROM THE HAMPTON ROADS PORT OF EMBARKATION ON JANUARY 6, 1945 AND ARRIVED IN ITALY ABOUT JANUARY 18, 1945. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER IN ITALY WITH THE 10TH MOUNTAIN 'MOUNTAINEERS' DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORTH APENNINES AND PO VALLEY CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.