CORPORAL WILLIAM ODELL STRICKLIN

The Silver Star is awarded to Technician Fifth Grade WILLIAM O. STRICKLIN, Battery A, 108th Field Artillery Battalion, for gallantry in action against the enemy in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany on 2 and 3 November 1944.

Technician Fifth Grade STRICKLIN was serving as radio operator to the Forward Observer of his artillery battery, which was supporting the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry, in an attack on the enemy on 2 November 1944. During the attack, he and a companion laid wire from the Command Post to the forward Observation Post. After the Battalion had reached its objective, Technician Fifth Grade STRICKLIN moved his radio forward, in front of the Infantry, for better observation and successfully relayed messages to bring artillery fire on numerous defensive points and enemy mortars which were firing effectively on friendly infantry units.

This he accomplished while bravely exposing himself to heavy enemy artillery fire. He remained with his radio in the proximity of the right flank of the main line of defense that night under a continuous barrage of enemy artillery and mortar fire. On the morning of 3 November 1944, the enemy counterattacked and succeeded in infiltrating the right flank of the Battalion lines. Although realizing his precarious position he stayed by his radio, regularly calling for defensive artillery fire until he lost contact. He dismantled his antenna, concealed the radio and while attempting to withdraw, was captured along with approximately 30 infantrymen.

The confused Germans mistakenly led Technician Fifth Grade STRICKLIN and his captured comrades in the direction of a friendly Infantry company and when about 200 yards away the entire group was fired upon. Immediately every man took cover with the exception of Technician Fifth Grade STRICKLIN, who chanced the possibility of being hit by friendly fire and daringly ran toward the Infantry to warn them that the men fired upon were American prisoners in custody of a few armed Germans.

Technician Fifth Grade STRICKLIN's actions contributed to the successful repelling of the enemy counterattack and prevented the capture of his radio, which was later used. He is also credited with averting the probable loss of the lives of his captured comrades. By his gallantry, courage and exceptional devotion to duty, Technician Fifth Grade STRICKLIN reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from Tennessee.

POST WAR

• William Odell Stricklin returned to Tennessee after the war.
• Passing: He passed away on 18 July 1993.
• Burial: He is buried at the Mount Olive Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.

Some fascinating correspondence from Island Farm!

Mrs Williams was generous enough to send me the text taken from the first letters her uncle wrote whilst at Island Farm. As you can tell, he loved to read (with references to Scott and Hardy) and listen to music. He was also a farm boy, which explains why he focused so much on the agricultural information. He was quite impressed with what he saw while he was there but didn't write much about what he was actually doing as far as training was concerned! He was writing to his brother (J.R.), whom he called "Bud" (for brother), his brother's wife Dot (Dorthea), and the "boys," who were his nephews.

The following four letters were sent by Odell back to his family in Tennessee:

• 27 December 1943 — After being at Island Farm for a week, Odell describes the local countryside to his brother.
• 21 January 1944 — Letter home while stationed at the camp.
• 26 March 1944 — Odell describes the scenic areas of Merthyrmawr and Ogmore.
• 31 March 1944 — A historic account of Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery, King George VI, the Queen, and Princess Elizabeth driving past the camp.