DOB/DOD: August 15, 1924 (Norwalk, CT) – June 9, 1944; 19 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 70 Ely Avenue, South Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: September 16, 1941
SERVICE NUMBER: 2073605
SHIPS ASSIGNED TO: Served on the USS Pyro (AE-1) in March 1942 and USS Wharton in September 1942
FAMILY: Born to Istvan “Stephen” R. Sr. [born in Hungary] (1903-1976) and Bertha Wargo Orbin (1904-1971). Stephen was their only child.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Killed by lightning at a Navy airfield in Florida
From The Norwalk Hour June 10, 1944
LIGHTNING KILLS NORWALK SAILOR
AMM2C Stephen Robert Orbin, 20, Wounded South Pacific Vet, Was At Florida Base
Aviation Machinist Mate 2-C Stephen Robert Orbin, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Orbin of 61 Ely Avenue, who had only recently returned to the United States after fighting the Japs in the South Pacific since the outbreak of war, was instantly killed at 3:30 p.m. yesterday at the naval station at Lake City, Florida when he was struck by lightning. A telegram informing her of her only son’s death was received last night by Mrs. Orbin from the commanding officer of the Naval Station. It simply said Orbin had been killed instantly by lightning while at work, and his body was being sent to Norwalk. AMM2C Orbin joined the Navy in July 1930. He trained at Newport, Rhode Island, and was then sent to the South Pacific. He took part in many engagements and was wounded badly a few months ago by shrapnel. After recovering in a Navy hospital, he was sent home to convalesce. He left home after Memorial Day to report at Lake City. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Ganung Funeral Home after the arrival of the remains.
Also killed in the incident was Leslie C. Tyler, Seaman First Class, of Jeffersontown, Kentucky. Lightning struck the plane under which they had taken refuge from storms.
Buried at Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk, CT; Section 11, Plot 1. Photo by webmaster.
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