Orville Earl Wright

Private 1st Class, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 11720 (January 22, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Orville E. Wright (MCSN: 489006), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tinian, Marianas Islands on 24 July 1944.
When hostile fire struck the LVT on which he was embarked and mortally wounded the bow machine gunner during landing operations on the heavily-fortified beachhead on D-Day, Private First Class Wright promptly braved the withering barrage to man the weapon and while delivering devastating counter fire against the emplacement, was himself fatally struck down by a bursting enemy shell.
His aggressive fighting spirit, great personal valor and cool courage voluntarily risking his life for the safety of his comrades reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Wright and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.