Marine killed in WWII battle in the Pacific identified

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Defense Department says the remains of a U.S. Marine killed in a World War II battle in the Pacific have been identified as an Arkansas man.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Tuesday that Marine Corps Sgt. Millard Odom from Batesville, Arkansas, was officially identified Aug. 20 through DNA, dental and anthropological analysis, and “circumstantial and material evidence.”

Odom was 26 when he was killed in battle on a small island in Betio and was buried there with approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors.

The Defense Department said after the war the remains were recovered and unidentified bodies were interred in Honolulu. Odom's remains were sent in 2017 to a laboratory for identification.

Officials estimate more than 72,000 U.S. service members who fought during World War II are unaccounted for.

In Other News

Supreme Court rules in favor of veteran who sued over GI Bill limits

The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of a veteran who wanted to use both his Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill benefits.

Korean War hero Ralph Puckett to lie in honor at US Capitol

Medal of Honor recipient Ralph Puckett will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol in recognition of his heroism during the Korean War.

Retiring Marines have to give 6 months’ notice, up from 4 months

Want to retire from the Marine Corps? The service now requires at least six months' heads up.

His father never spoke of WWII. His flight logs told the story for him

Historian and author Howard Mansfield had vowed to never write another word about World War II. Until another one fell into his lap.

US military to expand universal pre-K at dozens more bases this fall

The U.S. military will rapidly expand its universal pre-K program to another 79 primary schools, for a total of 80 locations, in the 2024-2025 school year.

Load More