“Digger” Odell was born in Pontiac, Michigan. He studied at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Maryland. Digger joined the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and served at several Air Force bases before serving as an F-105 pilot with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Vietnam. Odell was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967. He was captured and spent nearly six years (1,967 days) in captivity. Odell was placed in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” where he was isolated and tortured. He was released in 1973 and remained in the Air Force until his retirement in 1975.  He chronicled his experiences in the book POW. Odell’s decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with “V” device and Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, two Purple Hearts, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 11 Bronze Battle Stars, and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Great Lakes National Cemetery

This is a mini podcast I submitted for the Gilder Lehrman Institute Legacies of Service award, honoring the life and service of Donald Eugene Odell. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RwEZMiFwPqLlluO7-uVZnJ1m3scj8mgD/view?usp=drivesdk

Donald “Digger” Odell was born in Pontiac, Michigan.  In 1952, he enlisted in the US Air Force and was subsequently commissioned a 2nd Lt and issued his pilot’s wings.   In 1967 while flying his F-105 over North Vietnam his aircraft was shot down and he was forced to eject.  He was taken as a Prisoner of War and spent 1,967 days in captivity at the “Hanoi Hilton” where he was interrogated and tortured.  He was finally released as part of Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973 and remained in the Air Force until his retirement as a Lt. Colonel in 1975.  After retiring, Digger authored the book “POW”.  In 2017 on the 50th anniversary of the day his plane was shot down, the Selfridge Air National Guard Base renamed a street as “Digger Odell” in his honor.  

DONALD EUGENE ODELL

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