Orben Bartley Alley was the son of Orben Bartley Alley and Lavada Aurelia Quillen.
Technician Fifth Class Orben Bartley Alley Jr. was assigned to the 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. At the time of his death the Division was involved in the North Africa Campaign. He died on 21 March 1943 and was initially buried at Gafsa Cemetery in Gafsa, Tunisia and reburied at the North African American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, G,19,3
Awards include the Purple Heart.
The Morristown Gazette Mail, 7 April 1943
Technician Orben B. Alley, Jr., of Witts, has been killed in action in the North African area, according to a message just received by his father, Orben B. Alley, of that place. The telegram from the adjutant-general’s office in Washington says: “The Secretary of War desires me to express his deepest regret that your son, Technician Fifth Grade Orben B. Alley, Jr., was killed in action in the defense of his country in the North African area, March 21. Letter follows.”
Young Alley, who was about 25 years of age, had served three years in the army in February, volunteering in 1940. He held the rank of sergeant and was a company clerk. He first went to England last September, and later was among U.S. units landing in North Africa in November last. A friend near his home received a letter from him about a week ago, in which he said he was enjoying excellent health. Sgt. Alley, last year, was given the opportunity to remain in this country with a promotion, or to go overseas, but choose the latter, saying he desired to see some action.
A member of the senior class of Morristown High School, 1937, Sgt. Alley is the first Hamblen county boy to die in the fighting in North Africa, sof ar as is known. Surviving besides his father are three sister, Mrs. Lois DeLuca, Mrs. Ercell Hinkle and Mrs. Josephine Miller, all of Los Angeles, Calif. His mother died several years ago.
- Rank: Technician Fifth Class
- Date of birth: 14 August 1919
- Date of death: 21 March 1943
- County: Hamblen
- Hometown: Morristown
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
- Theater: North Africa
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: North African American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia
- Location In Memorial: Pillar X, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Orben B. Alley Jr.
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