Oral Lee Boss, formerly of Green Forest, Fayetteville, was
born in California and moved to Green Forest at age 10. He attended the
University of Arkansas and played on the 1958 Southwest Conference Championship
Razorback basketball team. After graduation, he served in the army infantry,
eventually becoming a captain in command of Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th
Infantry, 3rd Brigade Task Force, 25th Infantry Division.
On November 13, 1966, he earned the Silver Star Medal for
gallantry when his company engaged a North Vietnamese battalion-sized force.
Despite being hit by mortar fire, he coordinated artillery attacks, rallied his
soldiers, and evacuated the wounded, resulting in 50 casualties for his company
but inflicting over 150 enemy fatalities. His other awards include two Bronze
Stars, the Air Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Infantry
Badge.