World War II Honoree

Valter Allen Odom

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Three Rivers, Texas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant. On June 17, 1941, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps from Texas. His boot camp training took place with the Second Recruit Battalion, Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California. Later he completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. Served as a Squad Leader with the Second Marine Division in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Kilo Company, Third Battalion and Eighth Marine Regiment. His division participated in the amphibious assault against the Japanese Imperial Army forces on the island of Saipan. Killed in action Thursday, June 15, 1944 and buried in the United States Armed Forces battlefield cemetery on Saipan. His name has been etched on one of the Twenty-Six granite plates, located in the court of Honor, American Memorial on Saipan. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest at the Three Rivers Cemetery in Three Rivers, Texas. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.