Lieutenant Colonel (R)
Legion of Merit/Bronze Star
A native of Remmel, Arkansas, Presley O’Neal Orsburn graduated from Beech Grove High School in 1949. He attended Arkansas State College 1949-1953 and was commissioned a 2LT, Branched Field Artillery. In 1954, he attended Primary Flight School at Camp Gary AFB in San Marcos, TX and returned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he completed flight school and was awarded Army Aviator status in fixed-wing aircraft. Presley returned to Arkansas State University in 1970 and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Education.
LTC Orsburn’s assignments include observation flights over the DMZ between North and South Korea just after the war ended, aerial observation along the Czech border, Instructor Pilot assignments, and Battery Commander and S3 in the 7th Infantry Division, Korea. In 1966, Presley served in the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam, and the 282 Assault Helicopter Co. at DaNang, flying Assault and other helicopters in support of I-Corps ARVN. LTC Orsburn retired in 1973 as a Master Army Aviator with 6520 flight hours and 317 hours of combat flight time. LTC Orsburn had the honor of flying President Johnson on occasion and served in his funeral detail.
A few of his awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, The Air Medal, Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal (Korea), and the Aviator Badge. Presley and his wife, Ola Mae (Stone) Orsburn, had four Children, two with special needs. They owned a Christian Book Store in San Antonio, TX which they operated for more than 20 years. Presley has been very active in the Muscular Dystrophy Association, serving three times as President of the San Antonio Chapter. He has also served on the State and local Board of the Autism Society, twice as President of the San Antonio Chapter, and served for 20 years on the Disability Resources Inc. Board located in Abilene, TX.
