Funeral for Orion Jackson "Sam" Hyde, 85, of Decatur will be Sunday, January 27, 2013, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Reverend Eddie R. Scheler officiating and Roselawn Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Decatur City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the the church.
Mr. Hyde, who died Thursday, January 24, 2013, at Huntsville Hospital, was born October 11, 1927. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene McBride Hyde; and son, Samuel S. Hyde. After 34 years of military service, rest would be on the minds of most soldiers, but Hyde's passion for his country and to help others led him to the American Legion Morgan County Post 15 in 1982. He directed the organization as state commander of over 26,000 members. In 1946, World War II was over but the national emergency was not declared over until December of that year. Thus, the draft still was operating. So, Hyde enlisted in June. But that tour of duty ended in November 1947 and he came home and went to Florence State, now the University of North Alabama. He played on their first football team. It was at Florence that Hyde joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and since he already had military service, he was able to skip the first two years of ROTC training.
By the time he retired, Hyde's military service record included serving with the 7th Psychological Operations Group, 1st Cavalry Division, 24th Infantry Division, 11th Air Assault Division, 1st Air Cavalry Division, 7th Army Headquarters, Combat Development Command and the United States Forces Command and Military Assistance Command. "I found out it just suited me to serve people, to serve the community." Part of that service (an important part) according to Hyde, is the children's programs sponsored by the Legion. "Our programs reach (for) the children because they are the future of this country." Mr. Hyde received the World War II Victory Medal; Parachutist Badge; Vietnam Parachutist Badge; Vietnam Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device; Presidential Unit Citation; Army Commendation Medal with 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Unit Citation; Joint Service Medal; Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (2nd Award); Legion of Merit; Distinguished Service Medal of Alabama and The Mississippi Magnolia Medal.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda L. Hyde of Decatur; one brother, Tharold Andrew Hyde; three sisters, Martha Gay Stack, Pauline Eason and Hazel Dustin.
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