Ernest E. Orendorff Jr, was born on April 8, 1945 to Ernest and Mary Orendorff who resided on Meadow Brooke Lane in West Chester, Pennsylvania.  Ernest was one of 4 children: sisters Judy, and Mary Jane, and brother Edward.

 Ernest attended St Agnes school and continued his education at Bishop Shanahan High School (then located in West Chester) where he played on the varsity Basketball team. His yearbook says, 

 “"Ernie"...scientific...anticipates those lab experiments...the spark that keeps Westtown famous...often noticed clowning around...Shanahan's comedian man...likes P.O.D. ... intermingles social with sports events...casual...desires the most out of life.”

 After graduation Ernest obtained employment with the James Brothers Plumbing Contactors in West Chester. He was a member of the Saint Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church on West Chester Pike and Rt. 352.

Ernest enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 1964.  After basic training he was received advanced amphibious warfare training and was assign to the Third Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment, Second Marine Division of the Fleet Marine Force, stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

 In May 1966, Ernest, promoted to the rank of Corporal, was sent to Vietnam.

 Corporal Ernest E. Orendorff Jr. was Killed In Action on August 3, 1966 by a landmine, near Da Nang, in the Quang Nam province.

 Ernest was returned home for burial through Baltimore’s Friendship Airport.  Family and friends paid respect to the family Saturday morning August 20th at the Lawrence O’Reilly Funeral Home on North Church St. in West Chester.  A funeral Cortege then proceeded through West Chester to the Saint Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church for High Requiem Mass at 10 a.m. Burial with full military honors followed at St. Agnes Cemetery on Rt. 100 just north of town.

 The West Chester Optimist Club displayed flags along the sidewalks for the procession.  Marines from the Marine Corps Center in Folsom, PA served as the honor guard, and as pallbearers.  Honors were rendered  upon the viewing and funeral by the towns 3 military posts: the Butler-McCormick-O’Conner Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 106, Bernhard F. Schlegel American Legion Post 134, and Nathan Homes American Legion Post 362. Additionally, former classmates, as well as community leaders participated.

Remembrances

• Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Virtual Wall
• Vietnam War Memorial Virtual Wall