#VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Orval Thomas Wilson

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Orval Thomas Wilson. Orval served during World War I.

Orval Thomas was the third child born to Frank and Fannie Wilson in 1896 in Neosho, Missouri.

Orval was inducted into the U.S. Army’s Medical Department June 1918 and was sent to Fort Riley in Kansas. On September 11, he departed from the U.S. and arrived overseas September 29. Orval served six months in France before he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He was sent to Field Hospital # 358 and four other units before entering the General Hospital #16 at New Haven, Connecticut, where he remained for about a month. Then he transferred to the U.S. Army General Hospital #21 at Denver, Colorado, in June 1919. Orval was honorably discharged January1920, though he remained in poor health.

Orval passed away in February 1964 at the age of 67.

We honor your service, Orval.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much of the information as you can put together with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating for how to create the best submission.

Graphic created by Carl J. Valentino: Carl J. Valentino is a student at the University of Delaware with a Major in International Business and a Minor in Graphic Design.