World War II Honoree

Harlan F. O’Dell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON JULY 9, 1942 AT EAST SAINT LOUIS, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, THE 12 WEEK MOTOR MAINTENANCE SCHOOL, THE 10 WEEK TRACKED VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SCHOOL, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AUTOMOTIVE AND TRACKED WHEEL MECHANIC (MOS 966). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JANUARY 17, 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH THE 136TH ORDNANCE MAINTENANCE BATTALION IN THE RHINELAND AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN THIRD GRADE ON DECEMBER 14, 1945 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, FORT MACARTHUR, CALIFORNIA. EARNED THE MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.