Info Sheet - CW2 Orville T. "OT" Failen Sr.
Died 5 August 2022 - see award
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Obituary
Orville T. Failen Sr.
March 31, 1939 ~ August 5, 2022
by Via Jernigan-warren Funeral Home August 5, 2022Updated March 10, 2024
Orville Theodore (O.T.) Failen, Sr. 83 of Fayetteville, died on Friday August 5, 2022, at Cape Fear Valley from complications of surgery. O.T. was the oldest son of James David Failen and Bennie Inez Failen. He was born in Kingsport, Tennessee but lived in South Carolina until he joined the Army in 1959. Since then, he lived mostly in North Carolina.
O.T. was a retired Army Warrant Officer and a Vietnam veteran among his awards were, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Senior Army Parachutist Badge, Parachute Rigger’s Badge, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Thirty-seven Air Medals, One for Valor, two Army Commendation Medals, Good conduct Medal, National Defense, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four Campaign Stars, Korean Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He was a member of the American Legion and a life member of the following: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, National Rifle Association, Veteran of Foreign Wars, The Distinguished flying Cross Society, and the Second Amendment Foundation.
O.T. was a 1958 graduate of Gaffney High School in Gaffney, S.C. and a 1982 graduate of Fayetteville Technical College.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Jo Anne Erwin Failen; parents; sister, Margaret Ruth Foster; brother, James David Failen, Jr.; and a nephew David Perry Foster.
He is survived by his daughters, Lorie Anne Davis (Norman) and Pamela J. Failen both of Fayetteville; sons, Orville T. Failen, Jr. of the home; Jefferson Darby Failen (Samantha) of St. Pauls; sister, Edith Mae Atkins of Gaffney, SC 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
A funeral service was held on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Chapel with Military Honors.
DFC Award:
Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society - www.dfcsociety.org
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Orville T. Failen, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 10 April 1969 while serving as a pilot with D Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry in the Republic of Vietnam. While on an extraction operation for a long range patrol team, Warrant Officer Failen was called upon to cover the evacuation helicopters. After arriving at the contact area, Warrant Officer Failen's aircraft came under intense anti-aircraft fire. Immediately, Warrant Officer Failen directed a close in rocket attack around the patrol's position. As the extraction ships approached the landing zone, Warrant Officer Failen, with complete disregard for his own safety, flew his helicopter dangerously low in order to give fire support to the friendly element, as they were boarding the helicopters. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission. Warrant Officer Failen's personal bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.