Author: Scott Shermeyer

Master Gunnery Sergeant William F. Odom
United States Marine Corps
7 June 1942 - 1 October 1971

We are pleased to have a retired Marine—Master Gunnery Sergeant William F. Odom as our guest of honor. His service spans the “trifecta” of Word War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Born in 1924, Odom served from 7 June 1942 until October 1971. For 17-year-old William Odom, enlisting wasn't to get that peach of a pretty girl, nor was it for the chance to go up against the mortal enemy - it was to proudly wear "The Marine Dress Blues!" He reportedly was not issued those dress blues but subsequently after returning to California, he purchased a set.
Each experience, each memory stays with him to this day. Recollections of when he came across two Iwo Jima survivors on the beach listening to the classical music piece "Going Home" on the radio. The experience of visiting with the family of a Japanese soldier he mortally wounded on the battlefield. During his visit with the soldier's family, they told of when a soldier left for the battlefront, he would get a haircut and nails trimmed. Those pieces were left with the family, so if their bodies did not return, part of them could be buried with their ancestors." - (2013 The Local Book (Jones, Craven, & Pamlico Counties), Honoring Our Hometown WWII Veterans, page 4).
Top Odom was featured on the front cover photo of 2013 edition of "The Local Book" along with service members from other US military branches. Notably, of the other WWII members, Top Odom is the only one in uniform, still proudly wearing the USMC Dress Blues. He resides in Havelock, NC near his daughter Kathy and son-in-law, Gary Hullopeter who is also a retired Marine veteran. He did indeed find that “peach of a pretty girl” and was married for a mere 70 years to his lovely wife Margaret Ann Fyfe Odom, who passed away on December 5th, 2016 at the age of 90.
Master Gunnery Sergeant William F Odom was born 19 October 1924 and raised in Macon, GA. He joined the United States Marine Corps in June 1942 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. He reported for duty with the 3rd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC as a Communication/Telephone Man. All Marines assigned to the 3d Marine Division were then transported to Camp Pendleton in 1943 to join up with the rest of the division.
Odom participated in the invasion of the island of Bougainville 6 November 1943. Upon the island being declared secured, the division was transported to the island of Guadalcanal for refitting and re-manning. On 21 October 1944 Odom participated in the invasion of the island of Guam. Upon the island being declared secured, the unit was re-fitted and re-manned again. On 21 February 1945, he participated in the invasion of the island of Iwo Jima. Upon the end of the World War II, Odom returned to the states and was placed on Reserve status.
With the outbreak of the Korean War, Odom was recalled to active duty and stationed at MCB Camp Lejeune, NC from 1950 to 1953 where he was tasked to train all replacement Marines heading to Korea in the art of calling in naval gunfire and controlling air strikes. In 1954 he received orders to VMF-114 stationed at Jacksonville, FL where he was trained and re-designated as an Aviation Electrician. In 1956 Odom reported into VMR-253, MAG-12, 1st MAW at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan as an aviation electrician. In 1958 he reported to MCAS Cherry Point, NC for assignment to Station Operations and Engineering Squadron (SOES). In 1960 he reported to Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Memphis, TN for Instructor Duty. In 1963 he reported to HMM-163, MAG-16, 1 MAW Okinawa, Japan. His squadron deployed to Vietnam for Combat Operations in 1966. he served as an aviation electrician, air crew, and door gunner during his tour. In 1967 he reported to Marine Corps Development and Education Command (MCDEC) at MCB Quantico, VA. In 1970 he reported to VMA-211, MAG-12, 1 MAW MCAS Iwakuni, Japan as the Avionics Chief. It was here that he was hand-selected to be the Maintenance Chief for VMAQ-2 detachments A & B. During this tour, he deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Cubi Point, Philippines, and aboard the USS Midway CV-41 and USS Coral Sea CV-43.
In 1975 he returned to MCAS Cherry Point, NC to assume the position as the Avionic Chief for 2d MAW. Master Gunnery Sergeant Odom officially retired 1 October 1979 after 37 years of dedicated and faith service to his beloved Corps and Country...although he reportedly continued going to work for the next few days.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Odom’s personal awards include the Purple Heart, Air Strike Flight Medal with Bronze Numeral 2, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor Distinguishing Device, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (12th award), and other personal awards, and was also the recipient of the Combat Aircrew Wings with three gold stars.