lest we forget

ODSTRCIL, WILLIAM JOSEPH

Rank / Branch:

  • SPECIALIST FOUTH CLASS, U.S. ARMY

Date Of Birth:

  • 1950-05-07

Country Of Loss:

  • SOUTH VIETNAM

Status:

  • NON-HOSTILE DIED OTHER

Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground:​

  • GROUND

Other:

  • NOT MARRIED

Unit:

  • 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION

Date Of Loss:

  • 1970-09-29

Loss Coordinates:

  • DARNELL ARMY HOSPITAL AT FORT HOOD, TEXAS

Catagory:

  • BODY RETURNEDD

Awards & Decorations:

  • SEE BIO

VETERAN HAGI0GRAPHY

  • ODSTRCIL, WILLIAM JOSEPH SPECIALIST 4, U.S. ARMY, HERMLEIGH, SCURRY COUNTY, TEXAS

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • COMBAT INFANTRYMANS BADGE, BRONZE STAR, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM, VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL

BIOGRAPHY

  • William J. Odstrcil was born July 15, 1950, in Snyder, Texas. He was the son of Charlene Gargile and Charles E. Odstrcil. "Billy Joe," as he was affectionately called, was well liked by everyone. He attended Garden City Elementary and the Hermleigh schools where he participated in football, basketball and track. He really enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hermleigh. He was voted "Most Popular" and "Rodeo King" by his classmates. He was a 1968 graduate of Hermleigh School.
  • Although he was a sole surviving son, Billy Joe wanted to assume his responsibility to serve his country and enlisted in the Army upon graduating from high school.
  • While in Vietnam, Billy Joe was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. He was injured seriously on June 13, 1970, after a grenade accidentally exploded while his patrol was taking a rest. Billy Joe was brought to Darnell Army Hospital at Fort Hood, Texas. The Hermleigh community overwhelming supported the Odstrcil family by providing funds for Billy Joe's mother to stay at his bedside until his death on September 29, 1970. His total stay at Darnell was 89 days.
  • He was buried in the Hermleigh Cemetery, in Hermleigh, Texas. He was survived by his mother, Charlene Odsrcil and his youngest sister Charla of the home and his sister, Kathy Ganaway of Hermleigh. His father had died from injuries in a vehicle accident in 1959. his mother passed away May 5, 2019, in Lubbock. His sisters still survive him, Kathy Ganaway still lives in Hermleigh and his sister, Charlene Beck lives in Midland.

  • HERMALEIGH HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 1967
  • HERMLEIGH CEMETERY
  • HERMLEIGH FOOTBALL 1967