Orwin C. Talbott

Lieutenant general Orwin C. Talbott (18 June 191826 April 2011) was a United States Army officer who served in World War II and the Vietnam War.

Early life Orwin Talbott was born on 18 June 1918 in San Jose, California to Ernest Orwin Talbott (1885–1951) and his wife Anna Violet Smith. His father was the principal of Molinos High School and his mother was a teacher at another school. He studied at the University of California, Berkeley, but did not graduate.

Military career In 1941, he joined the U.S. Army. During World War II, he served in the 359th Infantry Regiment, part of the 90th Infantry Division. He first became a company commander and later a battalion commander. He and his unit took part in the Allied landings in Normandy, where his troop transport the was sunk by mines off Utah Beach on 7 June 1944. He was awarded the Silver Star twice during the war. Talbott retained command of the division until August 1969. In 1994 he introduced President Bill Clinton during the 50th anniversary ceremony of the Normandy landings at Utah Beach. In 1999, he moved to Washington, D.C.. He died of a heart attack at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on 26 April 2011. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Decorations His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (2), Silver Star (3), Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (4), Bronze Star (3), Purple Heart (3), Legion of Honour (France), Croix de Guerre (France) and Gallantry Cross (South Vietnam).