Dell Coleman Odegard

The database page for Dell Coleman Odegard

25 Jun 2001 I went to Hudson's Bay High School in 1967 in Vancouver, WA, With DELL COLEMAN ODEGARD. He went by the nickname of "Coley". I had CWP - Contemporary World Problems - with Mrs. Richards, while Coley had it with a very controversial teacher at the time, a Mr. Kurrie. Mr Kurrie, because of a controversial flag he had hanging in the classroom and some rather controversial beliefs that he taught, was believed to be a Communist. Well you know then the kids were going to tease him. Coley had a good sense of humor, we'd ask Mr. Kurrie, "What's the film going to be on today, Mr. Kurrie? Mickey Mouse sees Red China!" DELL COLEMAN ODEGARD was a fine person, with a great sense of humor. His loss was felt all through Vancouver, Wa. Now may he rest in Peace, in the golden light of eternal Love from now and forever more! Your Friend, Greg Payne teetee199thib@usa.com

07 May 2004 Soldier Killed by Shrapnel Killed by our own artillery, Cpl Dell C. "Coley" Odegard, 19, of Vancouver has become the 24th casualty of the Vietnam war with Clark County ties, and is the third to die there this year. According to the Army, Odegard died of shrapnel wounds on 30 Jan (1968) from "friendly" artillery while he was on night perimeter guard. The soldier's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Odegard, 3504 E. Twelfth St., were notified of his death Friday. The Pentagon released the information Monday, along with announcement of two other Washington men killed in action. Army Specialist Four Guy F. Brooks of Pasco and Marine Cpl. Michael G. Murdock of Rockford. Odegard had been in Vietnam since last June as a member of Co B., 1st Bn, 327th Inf., 101st Airborne Div. He entered the Army in January, 1967, and underwent training at Ft. Lewis and Camp Gordon GA, before entering jump school at Ft. Benning GA, where he was a distinguished honor graduate last June. Born in Astoria Or, 15 Jun 1948, Odegard had lived nearly all his life in Vancouver. He was a graduate of Hudson's Bay High School in 1966 and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. (Vancouver Columbian, Vancouver WA, 6 Feb 1968) Obituary text courtesy of Darilee Bodnar bookstorelady@prodigy.net The photos were provided to Faces from the Wall by two of his old friends who will never forget him - Larry Melton and Jim Uphouse, B/1/327.

04 Jun 2005 Just wanted to say that I went to St. Joseph School with "Cole's" little sister, Mary Ann. We called her "Odie" for short. I remember the day that she was informed of her brother's death. It was the first death in my memory of a local in the Vietnam war. Mary Ann was a talented, smart, athletic, outgoing person. Just good. She's gone now, and her folks are gone, and she left behind a son named "COLE". I liked Mary. She was "good people". After all these years, I don't know if anyone will read this, but if you do, Mary Ann Odegard Ramsey loved her brother and never quit missing him. You all take care. From a friend. E-mail address is not available.

A Note from The Virtual Wall Two soldiers were killed in the incident, SSG Jehovah Graves of Columbia, SC, and CPL Odegard. The other two men named in the obituary are SP4 Guy Franklin Brooks who was killed in action on 02 Feb 1968 with A Company, 3/506th Infantry, and Cpl Michael G. Murdock, killed in action on 01 Feb 1968 with B Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 11/13/2010