Charles Phillip Orr was born on June 19, 1922 in Ash Grove, Missouri and graduated with the Ash Grove High School Class of 1941. On June 3, 1943 he entered service with the United States Navy. Following basic training with Company 419-43, Camp Ward, Naval Training Station, Farragut, Idaho he graduated from Hospital Corps School Balboa Park, Class B5, San Diego and Hospital Corpsman School, Field Medical School Battalion, Class 30, Company B, Fleet Training Center, Camp Elliott, California. During October 1944 he reported to the Replacement Battalion Training Center, Fleet Marine Force, San Francisco and received additional training at the Naval Hospitals at Oakland and Treasure Island, California. During March, 1944 Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class Charles Orr joined the 3rd Battalion 23rd Marine Regiment, Fourth Marine Division at its forward location in Camp Maui, Hawaii. He deployed as a Hospital Corpsman with the unit and served with distinction in combat operations on Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima as follows: Saipan: Landed on Blue Beach June 15, 1944. He was awarded the Bronze Star with 'V' for valor after volunteering for numerous missions to rescue wounded Marines under fire. These included several for adjacent units whose corpsmen had become casualties. Tinian: Landed at White Beach on July 24, 1944. He was awarded the second Bronze Star with 'V' for valor similar circumstances as Saipan. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received and the Navy Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement and bravery under fire. Received meritorious promotion to 1944 Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class. Iwo Jima: Landed at yellow Beach on February 19, 1945. Awarded Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and volunteering to rescue a tank crewman trapped in a mine field and under fire from heavy artillery mortar and machine gun fire. Made numerous rescues during the capture of Motoyama Airfields #1 and #2 as well as the battles at the Meatgrinder, Hill 382, the Turkey Knob and the amphitheater. Received meritorious promotion to 1944 Pharmacist Mate 1st Class. Pharmacist Mate 1st Class Charles Orr was honorably discharged from Naval service on October 24, 1945. His decorations include: The Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with 'V' for valor, the Purple Heart, the Navy Commendation Medal, two Presidential Unit Citations (Operation Forager for the Marianas campaign and Operation Detachment for Iwo Jima), the Navy Good Conduct Medal, an American Campaign Medal, three Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medals and a World War II Victory Medal.