As a surgeon in the United States Naval Reserve, he received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.

[3] By June 11, 1918, Petty was attached to the 5th Marine Regiment as the unit took part in the Battle of Belleau Wood.

He continued to evacuate and treat the wounded, even after he was knocked to the ground and his gas mask rendered useless by an exploding shell.

[3] Other decorations which Petty received during the war include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Croix de Guerre with palm from France, and the Croce di Guerra from Italy.

[3] The Philadelphia Inquirer: Date: 6-3-1932, Pg.1 and 10: DR O H PETTY ENDS OWN LIFE EX-HEALTH HEAD - Director During Last Months of Mackey Regime Kills Self With Pistol - Found Dead at Home at 1803 Pine, Was World War Hero, One-time President of Medical Society: Dr Orlando H Petty former Director of the Public Health in the closing period of the Mackey administration, widely known physician and World War hero, hot and killed himself with a German Luger pistol, a war trophy, in a bedroom of his home at 1803 Pine St, shortly before six o'clock last night.

In additional to the Congressional decoration Dr Petty received other metals in recognition of his valor while under fire in a front-line dressing station during heavy fighting in June 1918.

In April 1931, Dr Petty was confined to Mt Sinai Hospital suffering from a complaint the nature of which was unrevealed.

He was an associate surgeon with Dr John B Lowman, of Johnstown, for one year and then returned here and was connected with the teaching staff of Jefferson Medical College until 1923.

From 1923 until recently, Dr Petty was professor of disease of metabolism in the Graduate School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania.

He was the author of an important work on "Prevention of Communicable Respiratory Disease Based on Observations in Army Camps."

For "valor in battle against an armed enemy of the United States" Dr Petty received the following decorations: The Congressional Metal of Honor, the United States Distinguished Service Cross, French Croix de Guerre with palm and the Italian War Cross.

The act of heroism for which Dr Petty was honored occurred on June 11, 1918, while in fierce action with the Marines.

Under heavy shell fire he worked in his frontline dressing station until the building literally fell in flames over him.

In addition to being a member of several leading physicians' organizations he belonged to the Pennsylvania Society, Sons of the Revolution, Aesculapian and Manufacturers Clubs.

Petty's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marines, in France during the attack in the Bois de Belleau, 11 June 1918.

While under heavy fire of high explosive and gas shells in the town of Lucy, where his dressing station was located, Lt.