Orlando Henderson Petty was born on 20 February 1874 in Harrison, Ohio. He was appointed a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Medical Corps from that same state in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force in December 1916. After the United States' entry into World War I, he served in France as an Assistant Surgeon and was promoted in March 1918 to the rank of Lieutenant.

On 11 June 1918, when his dressing station in Lucy, France came under enemy attack with high-explosive and gas shells, Petty quickly evacuated and attended to his patients. After being knocked to the ground and wounded by a gas shell, he courageously made his way to help a wounded Marine and carried him through shellfire to safety. For his "extraordinary heroism" on this occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Orlando H. Petty died on 2 June 1932 and is buried at St. Timothy's Church Yard, Roxborough, Pennsylvania.

This page features the only images we have concerning Orlando H. Petty.

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Photo #: NH 47317 Lieutenant Orlando H. Petty, (M.C.), USNRF Who was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" when he courageously saved a wounded Marine after an enemy explosive and gas shell attack on his dressing station at Lucy France, 11 June 1918. The Navy Medal of Honor ("Tiffany Cross" pattern) is on the far left. NHHC Collection. Online Image: 47KB; 555 x 765

Photo #: NH 47318 Lieutenant Orlando H. Petty, (M.C.), USNRF Who was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" when he courageously saved a wounded Marine after an enemy explosive and gas shell attack on his dressing station at Lucy France, 11 June 1918. The original print was taken by the Root Studio of Chicago. It is presumably autographed by Petty. NHHC Collection. Online Image: 40KB; 445 x 765

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