EUGENE J. O’DELL, JR., Specialist Four, United States Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division in action in the Republic of Vietnam, 25 March 1969. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four O’Dell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 March 1969 while operating a ninety-millimeter recoilless rifle during a mission near Fire Support Base Danger in Giao Duc District, Kien Phoung Province. After calling in air strikes on a suspended enemy position in a woodline, Specialist O’Dell’s company advanced and was pinned down by heavy machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire from the enemy. Specialist O’Dell immediately rushed forward of his company to lay a base of fire. Standing up in full view of the hostile force, he delivered round after round into the ranks of the foe, destroying three vital enemy positions. Having exhausted his supply of shells, he proceeded to evacuate the seriously injured. On his fourth trip to the evacuation point, he succeeded in carrying a casualty to safety although in the process he became wounded in the shoulder. Specialist Four O’Dell’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Mr O’Dell resides in Pennsylvania.