Alma Nichols Odekirk: 1906 – 1979 

While searching the Internet a few years back, I stumbled across the WWII Memorial website, (wwiimemorial.com) dedicated to the registry and recognition of all WWII veterans.  I checked the searchable database for the names of a few relatives and found very few listed. I did find a reference for my great-uncle Nick, Alma Nichols Odekirk.  The site merely indicated that he served in the Army. A reference at the bottom mentioned that his name was submitted by Almon R. Bates, “a friend”. 

I had never heard of Almon Bates, so I looked him up in the white pages on the Internet. I found a single reference; he was living in Colorado. I took a chance and called the number and asked for Almon.  

The woman who answered indicated that she was Almon’s wife, Agnes, and wondered if she could help me. When I explained the purpose for my call, she sadly let me know that Almon, her husband of nearly 50 years, had passed away that past January. He was 84 years old.  I offered my condolences and asked her if she knew my Uncle Nick. Gleefully, she acknowledged that she did; she knew him as “Odee”. 

Odie and Al (Almon) were stationed together at Ft Bliss in El Paso, Texas, probably in 1940 or 1941, before the war.  They were both with the 1st Cavalry. Ft Bliss housed 10,000 head of horses that were used by the Army at that time.  Odie and Al were both assigned to the Stable Police. Al shoed the horses and Odie was a manure spreader.  They lived in the old brick stable shack.  There were 5 or 6 others who worked with them.  The rest of the troops, those who “rode” the horses that Nick and Al cared for, lived in the barracks up the road. 

When Odie and Al went overseas, they no longer worked directly with the horses or mules.  Al was a driver for senior commanders, and Odie was assigned to the Communications area, tasked with the job of keeping communication lines open at the front connected to the commanders at the back.   

It was in this job that Odie was injured and for which he received the Purple Heart. Odie had been hit in the face, either by a bullet, or by shrapnel, and was seriously injured.  Regardless, he hunkered down and continued to fulfill his assigned tasks. Agnes said he was a true hero!  She thinks he likely had many other similar experiences of heroism. His injury required war-time surgery to repair the damage done, particularly to his nose. Al later joked that “his nose looked better after the injury than before”. 

Agnes told me that Al fought in 35 battles, through 3 campaigns in the Pacific. She thought that Odie fought in more. Agnes knew that Al had received a Bronze Star and was sure that Odie had received something even “higher.”* Agnes noted that they had so many stories to share of the war and their experiences. They said these two found time to “horsed around” a lot, though they were serious and dedicated when duty called. They had to exhibit a sense of humor to get through what they were facing day to day. 

Al and Odie shared many experiences, forging a camaraderie and friendship that lasted all their lives.  Each would visit the other after the war; Odie traveling to Texas or Colorado, and Al and Agnes traveling to Salt Lake City.  Odie and Al would even travel together on occasion for work or other reasons.  Al loved Odie (who was Al’s senior by 12 years). Agnes, of course, had the chance to know and love Odie as well over the years. She had nothing but kind things to say about him. She said he was very well liked by many people; that he had a good head on his shoulders. She also remembered that he was quite a baker and cook.   

She recalled a story Odie had once related from his youth. A poor, elderly neighbor man was quite ill. Odie’s father, Isaac W. “Ike” Odekirk, offered to take the gentleman in and allowed him to stay in a small cabin that the family owned.  Each of the boys took turns caring for this man; feeding him, gathering firewood, and other duties associated with caring for him.  Nick, at 16, willingly obliged.  Agnes was very impressed with Nick’s sense of duty, even at that young age.  

Agnes asked me if I had ever seen Odie’s World War II scrapbook.  She said that it was one of the finest she had ever seen. It included photographs, menus, clippings, enemy propaganda, and all sorts of other items.  It was remarkable.  Nick had shown it to them on one of his visits to their home, and had actually asked Al to keep it, stating that they had a good home and a place to keep these memories.  Al was not comfortable accepting such a fine gift and refused. Agnes heard that on Nick’s return trip to Salt Lake the book was lost.  She had hoped after all these years that that was not true and hoped that I knew of the scrapbook. I did not.  She wished that Al had agreed to keep it all those years ago. 

When Nick passed away in 1979, she thinks it was one of Odie’s nieces that called and told them. She and Al were both saddened at his passing. It seemed a joy for Agnes to reminisce about those old friendships. She said she had actually just thought of Odie a few days before my call. “What a great man”, she said. I’m heartened that Odie was so alive in Agnes’ memories. I hope that he remains that way for all who knew him. I’m appreciative that Al thought enough of my Uncle Nick to ensure his name was listed on the WWII memorial site. Agnes told me she planned to be at the dedication of the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. I hope she made it. Odie and Al were clearly part of the “greatest” generation.  

* I do not find record of Nick’s Bronze Star, but I do have his other ribbons and medals, including his Purple Heart, his Army Good Conduct Medal, his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 5 clusters, and his Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two clusters.