Armstrong DAR names Ornburn Patriot of the Month

The members of the Armstrong Chapter of the DAR are pleased to honor Lloyd Edward Ornburn of Moberly as their MSSDAR Patriot of the Month for October.
Lloyd graduated in 1941 from Middle Grove High School and enlisted in the Navy in April, 1943 and reported on May 12, 1943 to basic seaman training at Farragut, Idaho. After basic training was completing, he was sent to Iowa State University for electrical engineering training. He lived at Friley Hall in Ames, Iowa for 16 weeks for what was the equivalent of one year’s study – due to the war, everything had to be rushed. Lloyd was then assigned to the battleship USS Maryland for wartime duty in the South Pacific and was initially posted as a Gunner’s mate, then transferred later to the electrical division. He was eventually promoted to the main operating division of the ship, as an Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class..
Lloyd participated in seven campaigns in the Pacific Theater – Tarawa, Marshall Islands, Saipan, Peleliu, Sea Battle of the Philippine’s, Philippine Liberation and Okinawa. His ship saw heavy action in all those battles. At Saipan, the Maryland was torpedoed with heavy bow damage and had to return to Hawaii for repairs – Lloyd was injured by shrapnel in the right leg in that attack. During the battle at the Philippines, the Maryland was hit by a Japanese suicide plane (Kamikaze) and had to return to the states for repairs. Then, at the Battle of Okinawa, the Maryland was hit again by a Japanese suicide bomber plane and had to return to Seattle for repairs.
When World War II ended, the Maryland was used as a transport ship to bring troops home from the war. Despite the fact that Lloyd’s enlistment had technically ended, he was frozen in duty to help decommission the battleship in Seattle. He was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer 2nd Class on April 12, 1946, after serving 3 years in the U.S. Navy. Lloyd received the following medals: WW II Victory Medal, Asiatic – Pacific (5) and Philippines Liberation (2)
On June 1, 1946, Lloyd married Ruth Maxine Major at the home of Murl and Gladys Major in Moberly.
Lloyd went to work for Orscheln Truck Lines, which would be the beginning of a long, successful career with the Orscheln Companies. He was hired by Al Orscheln as a truck and equipment mechanic.
In 1950, Orscheln Truck Lines split into two companies – Orscheln Truck Lines and Orscheln Motor and Equipment. Lloyd went with Orscheln Motor and Equipment and in 1953 was promoted to Shop Manager. He continued to progress upward in the company, becoming Service Manager in 1963, Assistant General Manager in 1967 and General Manager in 1970. Lloyd was instrumental in developing a Truck Leasing Division in the company, and in 1973 became Vice-President and General Manager of Orscheln Motor and Equipment.
In 1976, Third Century Leasing was spun off as a separate company under the direction of Barry Orscheln. Lloyd transferred to Third Century Leasing as a Regional Manager. Lloyd performed many duties at Third Century, including sales, collections, and liquidations. In 1985, Third Century was purchased by chase Manhattan Leasing. Lloyd continued to perform sales and lease processing, collections and lease liquidations for Chase Manhattan and was named an Assistant Treasurer of Chase Manhattan Bank. Lloyd was later promoted to Second Vice President of Chase Leasing. Chase Manhattan sold the leasing division to GE Capital in August, 1991. At that time, Lloyd was 66 years old and he chose to retire.Lloyd also was a licensed pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings and a member of AOPA. He is a member of Carpenter Street Baptist Church and is a Deacon Emeritus. He is also a lifetime member of the Optimist International. Lloyd served on the Moberly Park Board for 12 years.

Lloyd and Maxine have two children, Gary Alan and Kristee Jean, and both live in Moberly and are employed by Orscheln Farm and Home.