When Orville Peter Kilroy was born on May 19, 1879, in New Richmond, Wisconsin, his father, Peter, was 23 and his mother, Mary, was 23. He married Estella Goodwin on March 19, 1908, in Chicago, Illinois. He was an outstanding pitcher before entering the army. Kilroy was beyond draft age in 1917 but enlisted in the Machine Gun Company, 2nd Infantry, North Dakota National Guard, at Dickinson, North Dakota, on July 14, 1917. On December 15, 1917, he sailed for Europe and was assigned to Company A, 3rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 1st Division on January 15, 1918. He was involved in fierce fighting against German forces in France at Montdidier-Noyon, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Ansauville, Saizerais and Cantigny. He was badly wounded in June 1918 but insisted on returning to his machine gun unit. Private First Class Kilroy was killed in action at Argonne Forest on October 9, 1918. He is now buried in Saint Anne's Cemetery, Porterville, Tulare County, California, USA.

Kilroy was twice cited in General Orders: (General Orders No. 94, Headquarters, 1st Division, AEF, Germany, Dec. 13, 1918). Although sick, he insisted upon staying with his company and was mortally wounded while faithfully and courageously performing his duty.
(General Orders No. 1, Headquarters, 1st Division, Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky., Jan. 1, 1920), for gallantry in action and especially meritorious services. Entitled to wear two silver stars. Originally buried in France, his remains were returned to the United States in 1921 and buried at St. Anne's Cemetery in Porterville, California.

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