World War II Honoree

Joseph R. Odum

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Jacksonville, Florida

Honored By

Mr. Robert N. Safrin

Relationship

Friend

A gunner on the USS Meredith DD-434. He remained at his battle station after the order to abandon ship had been given, so he could protect shipmates in the water from being strafed by Japanese planes. He was still firing when the ship went under. For his action, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. He should have been recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor, but the captain and all senior officers also went down with the ship, and there were no witnesses to recommend him for a higher award.