James Edward Orth
Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Air Force
World War II, Korea, Vietnam

James Edward Orth was born on 25 September 1917 in Winchester, Adams County, OH. He was the son of Edward and Mary Lucy Alexander Orth.

Military Service

James Edward Orth served his country for over 31 years; first in the U.S. Army Air Forces and then with the U.S. Air Force. He was a command pilot and veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He flew 123 missions over North Vietnam as a pilot with the 42nd Electronic Warfare Squadron Stationed in Thailand. His duty stations included many posts in the U.S. as well as considerable foreign service in Europe, North Africa and Southeast Asia. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters (9 Awards)
Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters (More than 1 Award)
Vietnam Campaign Medal with 2 Battle Stars
Meritorious Service Medal

Post-Military Life

A native of Winchester, OH, he moved in 1988 to Lady Lake from Laguna Beach, FL. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Panama City Beach, FL., and attended the Northside Christian Church in Fruitland Park, FL.

He was a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner for more than 40 years; charter member of the Shaddai Shrine Temple of Panama City; and a member of Lake County Shrine Club.

Orth was past president of the Robins Air Force Base Scuba Diving Club; past president of Panama City Chapter of the Retired Officers Association and member of the Lake Arts Chapter; and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.

Death and Burial

Lieutenant Colonel James Edward Orth died on Wednesday, 20 September 2000. He was 82. He was buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. Full military honors were rendered by the MacDill Air Force Base Honor Guard.

He is survived by his wife, W. Catherine Orth; one daughter, Sharon Talbot of Gahanna, OH; four sons, James Alfred Orth of Westerville, OH, Paul James Orth of Chattanooga, TN, Jeffrey E. Orth of San Francisco, CA, and Pete A. Orth of Dallas, TX; one stepdaughter, Betty Ann Jamieson of Vidalia, GA; two stepsons, Andrew Daniels Jr. of Hawkinsville, GA, and Danny Ray Daniels of Woodruff, SC; three sisters, Mildred McCall of Butler, PA, Phyllis Sparks of Wheelersburg, OH, and Dora Mae Huffman of Portsmouth, OH; one brother P. Thomas Orth of Portsmouth, OH; 11 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.