World War II Honoree

Patrick W. Odato

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Highland Park, New Jersey

Honored By

A Grateful American

JOINED THE ARMY ON NOVEMBER 16, 1942. SERVED UNDER GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON IN THE 11TH ARMORED DIVISION, COMPANY A, 41ST TANK. SAW ACTION THROUGHOUT EUROPE, INCLUDING FRANCE, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM AND IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. HELPED TO LIBERATE PRISONERS FROM THE MAUTHAUSEN CONCENTRATION CAMPS NEAR LENZ, AUSTRIA. DURING A CONFRONTATION IN BELGIUM DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK 1944, HE PERFORMED A HEROIC ACT, CARRYING CORPORAL PETE DAVIS, WHOSE LEG WAS SHOT OFF, A MILE AND A HALF TO SHELTER AFTER HIS TANK AND TWO OTHERS WERE HIT BY MARK IV GERMAN TANKS. HE RECEIVED THREE RIBBONS FOR THE BATTLES OF ARDENNES, RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE, AS WELL AS FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE.