The 306th Engineers were fighting Japanese in the South Pacific on Guam and Peleliu Islands.
Enlistment date July 1st, 1941. Killed In action WWII 10 October, 1944.
In the Battle of Angaur on 10 Oct 1944, Private Benjamin Odeimin, Ottawa Indian from Cross Village, led a patrol to recover the bodies of two fallen soldiers. In his heroic attempt, he made the ultimate sacrafice, losing his life due to his efforts. During pow wow celebrations and intermission in August of 1945 at Cross Village, his efforts were recognized by the Anishawbek of his tribe. At this time, his mother, Thresa Moanquay Odeimin was given his bronze star and purple heart.
The Battle of Angaur was a battle of the Pacific campaign in World War II, fought on the island of Angaur in the Peleliu Islands from 17 September—22 October 1944. This battle was part of a larger Japenese offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June 1944 to November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and Operation Stalemate II in particular resulting in an American Victory.
Like many of the Odeimin families of Cross Village, Ben was known as a gifted snow shoe maker. His father, Benedict Odeimin had already proceed him in death in 1913.
From US Army Enlistment Records:
Army Serial Number: 36158604
Military Branch: Army
Birth Year: 1912
Race: American Indian
Residence: Cross Village, Emmet County Michigan
Enlistment date: 1 Jul 1941
Enlistment City: Kalamazoo Michigan
Branch Code: Warrant Officer
Grade: Private
Education: Grammer
Marital Status: Single, Without Dependents
Height: 5 ft, 9 In
Weight: 183
Today, he rests in peace in Holy Cross Cemetery in Cross Village, his home, with a military headstone. His legacy and contributions are now known to his ancestors and we remember.
There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13
The 306th Engineers were fighting Japanese in the South Pacific on Guam and Peleliu Islands.
Enlistment date July 1st, 1941. Killed In action WWII 10 October, 1944.
In the Battle of Angaur on 10 Oct 1944, Private Benjamin Odeimin, Ottawa Indian from Cross Village, led a patrol to recover the bodies of two fallen soldiers. In his heroic attempt, he made the ultimate sacrafice, losing his life due to his efforts. During pow wow celebrations and intermission in August of 1945 at Cross Village, his efforts were recognized by the Anishawbek of his tribe. At this time, his mother, Thresa Moanquay Odeimin was given his bronze star and purple heart.
The Battle of Angaur was a battle of the Pacific campaign in World War II, fought on the island of Angaur in the Peleliu Islands from 17 September—22 October 1944. This battle was part of a larger Japenese offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June 1944 to November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and Operation Stalemate II in particular resulting in an American Victory.
Like many of the Odeimin families of Cross Village, Ben was known as a gifted snow shoe maker. His father, Benedict Odeimin had already proceed him in death in 1913.
From US Army Enlistment Records:
Army Serial Number: 36158604
Military Branch: Army
Birth Year: 1912
Race: American Indian
Residence: Cross Village, Emmet County Michigan
Enlistment date: 1 Jul 1941
Enlistment City: Kalamazoo Michigan
Branch Code: Warrant Officer
Grade: Private
Education: Grammer
Marital Status: Single, Without Dependents
Height: 5 ft, 9 In
Weight: 183
Today, he rests in peace in Holy Cross Cemetery in Cross Village, his home, with a military headstone. His legacy and contributions are now known to his ancestors and we remember.
There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13
Inscription
MICHIGAN PVT 306 ENR. COMBT BN WORLD WAR II
