World War II Honoree

Robert E. 'Bob' Odom

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Haskell, Oklahoma

Honored By

OAMC, ROTC Class of 1943

SERVED IN THE ARMY RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS AT OKLAHOMA A&M COLLEGE IN STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA FROM SEPTEMBER 1940 TO APRIL 5, 1943. SIMULTANEOUSLY SERVED AS A PRIVATE IN THE ENLISTED RESERVE CORPS WITH THE 1875TH SERVICE UNIT FROM JULY 1942 TO APRIL 5, 1943. INDUCTED AND CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY ON APRIL 6, 1943. REPORTED TO THE RECEPTION CENTER, FORT SILL, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA ON APRIL 12, 1943. MOVED VIA COAL-BURNING TROOP TRAIN FROM FORT SILL TO OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING IN GEORGIA FROM JUNE 24TH TO SEPTEMBER 18, 1943. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1943 WITH THE RANK OF CORPORAL TO ACCEPT AN APPOINTMENT AS AN OFFICER. GRADUATED AND COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE INFANTRY ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1943. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AND WAS STATIONED ON OKINAWA. PARTICIPATED IN THE RYUKYUS CAMPAIGN. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE SERVICE STAR AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF FIRST LIEUTENANT AT SEPARATION CENTER, FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1946. ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.