CAPTAIN HARVEY GEORGE ODENBRETT (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade,) United States Naval Reserve. For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron SIX, attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID, in action against Truk on February 16, 1944. Flying wingman in a two-plane fighter section, Lieutenant (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade,) Odenbrett and his section leader initiated a strafing attack against a Japanese cruiser outside the reef and, when his companion was shot down during the action, circled the downed pilot and dropped him a life raft. As the hostile cruiser turned toward the pilot in the water, he made five strafing runs on the ship to divert its fire toward himself and, although wounded time and again, succeeded in destroying a seaplane on the fantail and enabled his section leader to reach the safety of the reef. His gallant fighting spirit, dauntless airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Captain Odenbrett resided in Wisconsin, and joined the Legion of Valor in 2000.