John Orsbon

John Henry Orsban (11/20/1921-10/06/2018) World War II veteran- 101st Airborne

He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio and he survived his eight brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Helen Orsban (Oct 4 was their 74thwedding anniversary).

In his teens, he joined the 3C camps (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the 1930's, to help support his large family.

When WWII broke out 12/7/1941, he joined the infantry and spent the first two years of WWII in Alaska, where US troops were circling the Aleutian Islands for signs of Japanese infiltration before returning to the States.
The 101st Airborne needed volunteers to replace soldiers lost while storming Normandy during the D-Day invasion of Europe.
John volunteered with the 101st Airborne and after parachute training and 13 weeks in Reconnaissance school he spent the remainder of the war in Europe, jumping behind enemy lines, at night, to report on enemy troop movements while they made their way back to base. (101st Airborne, Recon Plt, attached to Div HQ).
He also visited Hitler's Eagles Nest (Berchtesgaden, Germany) with the 101st to help remove gold bullion as depicted in the Band of Brothers.

When the war ended in Europe, he came home to Ohio and after a few years moved to Tampa FL, started a concrete company, and built the foundations for hundreds of block homes.
Later he moved to Franklin NC, acquired his General Contractor's, Electrical, and Plumbing licenses and developed a 100+-acre "mountain" cabin community.
He certainly made a difference, in his life, and in many others lives as well.
He told jokes, stories from his childhood and WWII experiences and challenged the kids with quiz like questions to make them "think".
Taught his sons the value of "honesty and hard work", sent them off to college and took care of his family.
He was the smartest person we ever knew and hated the word "can't".

He leaves this world a better place. He was a good man, a good soldier, a good father, and a good husband. .
John is survived by his wife of 74 years, Helen Irene Orsban, 2 sons, John Michael Orsban (Mickey) and Keith Patrick Orsban (Pat), and a granddaughter Melissa, grandson Joey and 3 great grandchildren.

Thank you dad!