Former POW O'Dell continues serving SANGB community

SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MI, UNITED STATES

10.18.2017

Courtesy Story

127th Wing

Instead, it refers to Donald E. “Digger” O’Dell, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and Harrison Township, Mich. resident, whose address from October 1967 to March 1973 was the notorious North Vietnamese prisoner of war camp known as the “Hanoi Hilton.”

O’Dell, born on July 25, 1934 and raised in Pontiac, Mich., relocated to the Selfridge Air National Guard base area after he returned from his North Vietnam captivity.

After graduating high school, O’Dell joined the Air Force in September 1952. He was assigned to an Air Force Base in Yuma, Ariz. After completing his initial training. Weeks later when a jet pilot in his squadron asked if he would like to accompany him on a flight, he jumped at the opportunity. Afterwards, there was no question in his mind that flying was to be his career. In April 1954, he entered Aviation Cadet Pilot training and received his gold second lieutenant bars and silver aviator wings on August 1, 1955.

After earning an exemplary record as a flight student, he served as a flight instructor before embarking on a three-year tour in Europe as a fighter pilot. In 1961 he was assigned to the 94th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Selfridge Air Force Base from which he deployed six years later.

In August 1967, O’Dell arrived at Korat Air Base in Thailand and entered the Vietnam War, flying the F-105 Thunderchief, a supersonic fighter-bomber aircraft. But, on October 17, while flying his 17th combat mission, a North Vietnamesse anti-aircraft missile hit his aircraft, forcing O’Dell to eject.

“I knew this was going to be a very bad day,” O’Dell said.

Held for several days in the small hamlet near where he parachuted into, he was ultimately moved to the infamous Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi’s French District, facetiously called the “Hanoi Hilton,” by American prisoners. He became one of the more than 750 Americans held prisoner during the Vietnam War.

O’Dell does not dwell on his treatment by his captors, instead he describes the techniques by which prisoners endured their confinement and adversity.

“For one thing, we Americans have a great sense of humor,” O’Dell said.

At times, cellmates would remind their comrades that their confinement time, “all counts on twenty,” referring to their imprisonment still contributing to their active duty military service, allowing them to retire after 20 years. Prisoners also concentrated on keeping their minds active. O’Dell and others memorized the names—in alphabetical order—of 479 of their fellow prisoners. He also estimated the dimensions of his cell and mentally tallied the distance he paced each day.

“At one point, I was certain I had walked from Hanoi to Mt. Clemens,” O’Dell said.

O’Dell was released from confinement on March 14, 1973 and returned to Mt. Clemens, after a brief hospitalization, on April 7, 1973. He was medically retired from the Air Force on March 11, 1975 because of his combat-inflicted injuries, related to his captivity.

His military awards and decorations inclue the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service medal with 11 Bronze Battle Stars and the Prisoner of War Medal. He also holds the Daughters’ of the American Revolution Medal of Honor.

O’Dell continued to serve his country in military capacity from May 1975 until September 1990 as the Selfridge Base Public Affairs officer and continues to serve as a Selfridge Base Community Council member. He also has been active in fundraising for the Michigan Winter Special Olympics organization, founded in 1981 by former Detroit Tiger player, Vic Werts. Each winter, he and more than 50 other volunteer, “Wertz Warriors,” snowmobile for a week throughout middle and northern Michigan, collecting donations from various establishments and communities. To date, the “Warriors,” have collected more than $10 million.

Following his daily morning workout at the Concorde Inn, and when he’s not hunting, fishing or boating on Lake St. Clair, he can be found at his home a few doors down from the Crews Inn restaurant. He says that he once jokingly suggested to the restaurant’s owner that he should be paid a royalty for each sandwich sold bearing his name.

But the restaurant has a far greater significance to him than simply having a sandwich named for him. In 1993 he became attracted to a young lady working there and they began dating, culminating in their marriage in May 1997.

“I didn’t want to rush into anything,” O’Dell said.

O’Dell may not have rushed into marriage, but he has certainly made enormous progress at rebuilding a full and productive life following his captivity. His efforts have benefited not only himself, but many around him.

• Date Taken: 10.18.2017
• Date Posted: 11.29.2017 13:19
• Story ID: 252168
• Location: SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MI, US