George T. Orvis Jr. – WW2 Bombardier
George T. Orvis Jr. – WW 2 Hero
George Orvis was a highly decorated B-17 pilot during WW 2. He was one of dozens of pilots from Missoula in that war and is counted among hundreds, if not thousands, of Western Montanans who also participated. Many of them never came home. A few were honored long after their service, yet the majority slipped into the routine lives of ordinary citizens – if largely unremarked, they nevertheless quietly carried the mantle of service that shouldn’t be forgotten.
A curious Missoulian headline in 1944 noted that George Orvis was involved in the Allied air campaign over Germany – “Missoulian Lays Out Patterns.” The “pattern” referred to was the systematic bombing of an aircraft plant in Germany, the famous Marienburg Focke-Wulf fighter factory.
Allied bombing had badly damaged this factory in 1943, but within a few months the Germans managed to rebuild parts of it and continued to produce fighter planes. Allies again attacked the plant in 1944 with a renewed “second wave” of bombs. This repeated bombing of the same targets was a necessity that wasn’t always understood by the folks at home.
An excerpt of the 1944 Missoulian article said the following about their mission:
Lieutenant T. Orvis, Jr., of Missoula, Mont., who set the pattern for other ships in the second Marienburg raid says:
“I never felt badly about having to go back to hit a target the second time because I’ve seen several examples of how fast they can rebuild them.”
Major Joseph A. Brown, 27, Gillespie, Ill., former star fullback at the University of Illinois, another lead bombardier on the second Marienburg raid added:
“I watched Orvis’ bombs hitting and we tucked right in behind them, letting ours go a little to the right of his pattern, taking out several buildings around the edge of the target area.”
https://www.newspapers.com/image/349358927
A second Missoulian article in August, 1944 found George Orvis on leave in Missoula:
Captain George Orvis, Air Hero, Home on Leave From England
Captain George Orvis who holds the Distinguished Flying Cross and Oakleaf Cluster and the Air Medal with four clusters as a result of completing 30 air missions in the European theater of operations is in Missoula on leave. Bombardier Orvis, who is squadron leader of group of Flying Fortresses operating from England, is reluctant to say little except that he has been overseas and is home on leave.
Captain Orvis said that another Missoula man, Second Lieutenant George Lawrenson is in the same squadron.
Captain Orvis was employed as a sheetmetal worker for Douglas aircraft in California before enlisting in April, 1942. Commissioned at Big Springs, Texas, in April, 1943, his advance to captain has been rapid, but the captain refuses to explain why.
Captain Orvis received additional training at Moses Lake and Walla Walla, Wash., before going overseas.
The captain’s brother, Walter, is a third-class petty officer in the Seabees. He is now stationed at Camp Parks, Cal., after serving for nine months in the Aleutians. The two servicemen are sons of Mrs. Evelina Orvis of 419 East Beckwith avenue.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59328671/george-orvis-1944/
George T. Orvis died in Missoula in 1987. His short obituary appears below:
George T. Orvis
George T. Orvis, 67, of Missoula, died of cancer Sunday, Sept .20, at St. Patrick Hospital.
He was born Sept. 27, 1919, in Portland, Ore., the son of George and Evalinia Orvis. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and was honorably discharged as a captain.
He worked for Ormeshers Inc., then Buttrey Foods and later at Bob Wards.
He was a member of the Missoula Sheriff’s Posse and was an avid sportsman, enjoying both hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Norma Orvis, Missoula; one son, Leland Orvis, Anaheim, Calif.; a daughter Theresa Orvis, Anaheim, Calif.; two brothers, William Orvis, Billings; and Walter Orvis, Montclair, Calif.; one sister, Phoebe Wyatt, Missoula; and two grandchildren.
Memorial services are pending and will be announced by Squire Simmons & Carr Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorials be made to Mountain West Hospice Care, 715 Kensington, Suite 15, Missoula 59801, or to the Missoula County Cancer Association, 30065 Queen St., Missoula 59801.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59329241/george-t-orvis-obit-1919-1987/