Orvis was from St. Augustine, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1953 and spent 30 years in the Navy advancing to Master Chief Petty Officer Store Keeper. After retiring from the Navy in 1983, he went to work in the 700 Department at the Naval Aviation Depot Alameda from 1985 to 1993. He transferred to North Island HSLWINGPAC, San Diego in 1993 due to the Alameda base closure. He performed as an IMRL Manager/Equipment Specialist until his death in October 2003.
Mr. Wade was one of the first “Special Assistants for Minority Affairs” in the US Navy. This can be verified by reviewing the All Hands Magazine from April 1971, PG-18. He was stationed at Norfolk at the time. I worked with Mr. Wade at COMHSLWINGPAC from 2000 until his death in 2003.
— provided by AFCM(AW) Michael G. Cook