Orval Faubus

Orval Faubus was born in 1910 in Combs, Arkansas. He served in World War II and was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1955, serving consecutive terms until 1967. Faubus pursued a moderate course on racial matters initially, but in 1957 decided to adopt a hard-line segregationist stance to gain reelection. Faubus called out the Arkansas National Guard in September 1957 to prevent the integration of Central High School in Little Rock. His actions and determined stance against integration drew national attention.