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Leonard J. O'Dell
| Born In: | Matoaka, WV; 1 Sept, 24. |
| Education: | Stonewall Jackson High School; Charleston, WV 1942 |
| Pre-Military Employment: |
Enlisted Aviation Cadets one month after 18th birthday |
| Military Service Record: |
Attended Pre-Flight in San Antonio, TX; Primary Flight in Coleman, TX; Basic
Flight at Perrin Field, TX; Advance Single engine pilot Flight at Eagle
Pass, TX, Class of 44A; RTU at Harris Neck, GA. Flew one of the first
P-40N’s into China. Assigned to 76th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group at Luichow, China. Shot down on mission over Wuchow 04 Oct. 44 & took 17 days getting back to base. Was TDY with Chinese Army, supported by the 76th, as ground-to-air Liaison Officer for 3 months. Assigned to 14th Air Force Flight Section as single engine pilot. Was Co-pilot on Chiang Kia-Shek’s Personal Airplane. |
| Date Discharged or retired: |
2
Jan 46; stayed in Reserve for 10 years. |
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Awards, Medals and Commendations |
Air Medal, Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/ two bronze stars, American Theater Ribbon, WWII victory Ribbon, China Defense Ribbon. |
| Post-Service Employment: |
Purdue University; BSME 1948 (Mechanical Engineering). American Air Filter Co. Inc.; 37 ½ years, Product Development Engineer, Contracts Manager – Domestic; Contracts Manager – International; Retired 1987. Life Member and Fellow of ASHRAE. Symposium Paper Award. 15 Patents on Air Filtration and Dust Control products. |
| Hobbies: | RV Camping; Computer Operation, Newsletter Editor for two Veteran’s organizations. |
| Wife: | Beverly |
| Children: | 3 |
| Grand Children: | 8 Grand Childrem 6 Great Grand Children |
| Memories to share: | |
| Personal Comments: | Enjoy Editing Squadron Newsletter and attending yearly Reunions of the 23rd Fighter Group. |
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