Life Experiences of a Fifteen-Year-Old Boyhood Soldier: True-Life Stories

By Thomas D. O'Dell

It is hard to remember all the experiences I faced during the war years. After fifty-some years, I have now sat back and taken the time to recall my lost memories of the Korean War. It all started in counseling with my VA counterparts. When retelling my experiences to these men who had lived through the same types of tribulations as I had, who now were suffering from shell shock and post-traumatic stress disorder, I found it surprising when they related to me that I was an inspiration. They were impressed I had been promoted to sergeant while still a boy of fifteen. I guess I hadnt realized the magnitude of my accomplishments until a group of my peers, my equals, pointed out to me how amazing my life really was. So now Id like to share my memories of the war through the eyes of a child.
In compiling this story I was brought back to my early years when life was both hard and joyful. So if you have the time, I have the story of a fifteen-year-old soldier boy to spin for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 7, 2009
• ISBN: 9781469103761

Thomas D. O'Dell

The author was born on September 11, 1937 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At age 8, he moved to South Dakota and finished his 8th grade education at Buffalo Gap. He started working odd jobs, learning various trades, driving trucks, running machinery, and working wherever there was work for a fourteen to fifteen year old husky lad. Then, he moved to North Dakota with a construction crew. At the age of fifteen, he entered the US Army and started to work for the government. He retired in 1976. And, started his own company doing private contracting work. Now semi retired and married with four children residing in Mackay Idaho.

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