Orval Clyde Jordon III
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

Orval Clyde Jordon III was born on 12 March 1947, the son of Orval Clyde Jordon, Jr, and Irene Christene Strumpel Jordon.

On 12 May 1969, Specialist Four Orval Clyde Jordon III was serving with Battery A, 8th Battalion, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Jordon was cannoneer of a battery near Bing Duong. In the early morning hours an enemy force subjected the compound to an intense mortar and ground assault. During the attack, SPC4 Jordon observed a hostile round strike the parapet of a nearby howitzer emplacement, creating a fire in the ammunition storage area. Leaving the safety of his bunker, he ran through the barrage and began fighting the blaze. When the fire grew, he began removing the stacks of 105 millimeter projectiles. As he was moving one of the last rounds from the flaming bin, the shell exploded, killing him instantly. SPC4 Jordon's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Orval Clyde Jordon, III, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery A, 8th Battalion, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Jordon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 May 1969 while serving as cannoneer of a battery near Bing Duong. In the early morning hours an enemy force subjected the compound to an intense mortar and ground assault. During the attack, Specialist Jordon observed a hostile round strike the parapet of a nearby howitzer emplacement, creating a fire in the ammunition storage area. Leaving the safety of his bunker, he rushed through the lethal barrage and began fighting the blaze. When the conflagration increased, he courageously began removing the stacks of 105 millimeter projectiles. As he was moving one of the last rounds from the flaming bin, the shell exploded suddenly, causing his immediate death. Specialist Four Jordon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2499 (July 11, 1969)

Honors

The name Orval C Jordon III is located on Panel 25W Line 73 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four Orval Clyde Jordon III is buried at Bethania Cemetery in Justice, Cook County, IL.

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