William Joseph OdstrcilSpecialist FourD CO, 1ST BN, 502ND INF RGT, 101 ABN DIV Army of the United States 15 July 1950 - 29 September 1970 Hermleigh, TX Panel 07W Line 100 |
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The database page for William Joseph Odstrcil
Billy Joe, as he preferred to be called, was born in Snyder, Texas. He attended school at Garden City Elementary, Garden City, Texas and then attended the Hermleigh schools in Scurry County Texas, until he graduated in 1968. Hermleigh is a small agriculture community about 12 miles southeast of Snyder, Texas. He participated in football, basketball and track. He really enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hermleigh. Although he was a sole surviving son, he wanted to serve his country and he enlisted in the Army after he graduated from high school. Billy Joe had won a previous Purple Heart from a shrapnel wound and he was seriously injured on June 13, 1970 when a grenade accidently exploded while his patrol was taking a rest. Billy Joe was medevaced to Fort Hood, Texas and the Hemaleigh community overwhelmingly supported the Odstrcil family by providing funds for his mother to stay at his bedside until his death on September 29, 1970. He is remembered on the Permian Basin Vietnam Memorial. |
A Note from The Virtual WallSGT Michael A. Gross of El Centro, California, accidently detonated the hand grenade. He was killed outright by the blast. There are no other known deaths as a result of the accident. |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 08/10/2009