A Teacher of Soldiers and Students
By Charles R. Lowell
James R. Orris
January 4, 1897 - February 27, 1976
Army Master Gunner identification badge. (https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/11/26/first-soldiers-pin-on-the-master-gunner-identification-badge/)
Master Gunner James R. Orris was born on January 4, 1897 to a Mr. David A. Orris and Mrs. Catharine Orris in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.[1] James grew up with his older sister, Marion; they were six years apart in age.[2] Though James was born in Pennsylvania, the Orris family did not remain there for too long, as by 1910 the Orris family lived in Pueblo, Colorado,[3] with an addition to the family in the form of a younger brother, Henry, who was two years younger than James.[4]
Like many young men around the world, James Orris found himself presented with the opportunity to join one of the “greatest adventures of their generation’s lives.”[5] Many Americans found themselves conflicted at the early stages of the outbreak of the “European War,”[6] as initially many assumed this was a war that was to be fought in Europe and did not concern the interests of the United States. A sizable quantity favored neutrality as to avoid a bloody conflict only 53 years after the Civil War and just 16 years after the Spanish-American War; however, as the Great War continued, opinions would begin to change with the presence of German U-Boats that began to threaten the American supply line and civilian ships to the war effort in Europe.[7] Declaring war against Germany on April 6th, 1917,[8] the American Expeditionary Force landed in Europe in June of 1917[9] and began full participation at the front lines in October of 1917.[10]
The United States found itself with approximately 127,500 soldiers and officers in its standing army at the moment of entry into the war[11]; however, an additional four million men would go on to serve in the Army alone,[12] including Master Gunner[13] James Orris. A Master Gunner oversees the preparation and runs the training[14] of troops, ensuring that they have the proper equipment that they will need. James was described as “a very quiet man”[15] who didn’t discuss his service very often; however, we do know what he was responsible for given his rank. As a Master Gunner, he not only was responsible for organizing the training of troops; additionally, he was responsible for corresponding directly with the commanding officers of his regiment.[16] It is likely that, similar to a General, he was responsible for the training of approximately 10,000 – 40,000 men.[17]
James returned home from the war on April 9, 1919 after almost a full year of service.[18] Upon being discharged from his service, James went back to Pueblo, living with his family.[19] He attended school and was designated as a citizen capable of reading and writing.[20] At school, James found his love for the sciences, especially in Chemistry and Civil Engineering.[21] James would move with his wife, Mabel, up to Wyoming by 1930[22] so that James could work as a chemist in the oil refinery industry.[23] The couple raised their three sons there until 1932, when James finished his work in Wyoming and moved to Boulder, Colorado.[24] It was at this time that Mabel and their daughter unfortunately passed in child birth[25]; James remarried to Sarah in Los Angeles on July 8, 1935.[26] With Sarah, the Orris family returned to Denver in 1935,[27] where James would continue working with his passion for science and chemistry as a lab assistant.[28] When the Second World War arrived on America’s doorstep, James filled out his registration draft card[29] to once again serve his country if necessary. Though he was prepared to serve, the United States did not call upon James in the Second World War.
James also had a strong connection with the University of Denver, as he was a professor of Civil Engineering at the university.[30] According to this granddaughter, James greatly enjoyed his work as a professor.[31] The University of Denver also provided an educational experience for James’ three sons, who followed in their father’s footsteps and studied Civil Engineering.[32] After years of traveling for work, James was able to settle and raise his family in Colorado and establish a stable life for himself and his family.
Master Gunner James Ralston Orris was a remarkable American. Serving his country in the Great War in the United States Army, he continued his contribution to this country by learning and educating others on the studies of Chemistry. Master Gunnar James Ralston Orris will be remembered as more than a headstone; rather, he will be remembered as a hero, a loving father, and a great man.[33] From the hills of Pennsylvania to the mountains of Colorado, James R. Orris lived a fulfilling life of service and family time up until his death on February 27, 1976.[34]
Footnotes ↓
[1] “James Ossis [Orris],” 1900 United States Federal Census, ancestry.com, accessed May 1, 2021.
[2] Ibid.
[3] “James Orvis [Orris],” 1910 United States Federal Census, ancestry.com, accessed May 1, 2021.
[4] Ibid.
[5] “A Sense of Adventure,” TKI | Te Kete Ipurangi (New Zealand Government Ministry of Education), accessed May 4, 2021, http://firstworldwar.tki.org.nz/en/resources/y9-10-fc-a-sense-of-adventure/.
[6] Wendy E Chmielewski and George R Cooley, “Opposition to the War in the United States,” WWI Online: Opposition to the War in the United States (Swarthmore College Peace Collection), accessed May 4, 2021, https://wwionline.org/articles/opposition-war-united-states/.
[7] Ibid.
[8] “The American Expeditionary Forces,” Articles and Essays, Washington, D.C., accessed May 3, 2021, https://www.loc.gov/collections/stars-and-stripes/articles-and-essays/a-world-at-war/american-expeditionary-forces/.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] “James R Orris,” National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Veterans' Gravesites, accessed May 1, 2021.
[14] “Master Gunner Common Core,” Fort Benning | Master Gunner Common Core (Fort Benning), accessed May 15, 2021, https://www.benning.army.mil/Armor/316thCav/MGCC/
[15] Greta Orris, phone interview by Charles Lowell, May 10, 2021, DU VLP.
[16] “Master Gunner Common Core,” Fort Benning.
[17] “U.S. Army Ranks,” The Official Home Page of the United States Army (United States Army), accessed May 5, 2021, https://www.army.mil/ranks/.
[18] “James R Orris,” National Cemetery Administration; U.S. Veterans' Gravesites, accessed May 1, 2021.
[19] “James R Orris,” 1920 United States Federal Census, ancestry.com, accessed May 1, 2021.
[20] Ibid.
[21] “James Orris,” 1930 United States Federal Census, ancestry.com, accessed May 1, 2021.
[22] Ibid.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Ibid.; “James R Oris [Orris],” Ancestry.com, U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
[25] “Mabel Marie Orris,” Ancestry.com, U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012., accessed May 1, 2021.
[26] “James R Orris,” California Department of Public Health, courtesy of www.vitalsearch-worldwide.com, Digital Images.
[27] “Jas R Oria [James R Orris],” 1940 United States Federal Census, ancestry.com, accessed May 1, 2021.
[28] Ibid.
[29] “James Ralston Orris,” The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of Colorado; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 103.
[30] Greta Orris, interview by Charles Lowell.
[31] Ibid.
[32] Ibid.
[33] Ibid.
[34] “James R Orris,” Ancestry.com, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011., accessed May 1, 2021.
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