Scope and Contents

Less than one linear foot of medal citations, identification cards, and two memoirs titled 'A Communications Guy's Involvement and a Perspective of the Vietnam War 1967-1976' and ' A Communications Guy Remebers, a More Indepth Addition' document Tommy A. Odiorne's service in the US Army Signal Corps in Thailand and Laos with DEPCHJUSMAGTHAI.

Biographical / Historical

Tommy A. Odiorne was born in Mishawaka, Indiana in 1947. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966. Mr. Odiorne served for 20 years in the U.S. Army, 10 of which were in Southeast Asia. Mr. Odiorne served with the 105th Signal Detachment (SVC) USARPAC in Bangkok, Thailand, the 334th Signal Company, with USAELMDEPCHJUSMAGTHAI with duty station Project 404 APO SF 96237 in Laos, the Area Communications Company LBN 1st Signal Brigade in Long Binh RVN, with TCF 39th Signal Battalion USASTRATCOM-SEA in Saigon, and with the Bangkok Signal Detachment USACC-Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand. Mr. Odiorne served as the Communications Center Specialist, Off Line Cryptographer, Trick Chief and Supervisor, AUTODIN Terminal Operator and Supervisor, and as the Data Communications Terminal Operator and Supervisor. Mr. Odiorne was stationed at Bangkok, Vientiane, Long Binh and Saigon. He arrived in Southeast Asia as a PFC E-3 and achieved the ranks of Specialist 4, E-4 in 1967 , Sergeant E-5 in 1968, and finally Staff Sergeant E-6 in 1973. Mr. Odiorne was invovled in, and provided communications support during the Easter Offensive in Vietnam, and Operations Eagle Pull, Frequent Wind and the Mayaquez incident in Thailand. He recieved the Joint Service Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star. Tommy A. Odiorne retired from the U.S. Army in 1986 at the rank of Master Sergeant E-8 and continues to work as a civilian for the U.S. Army.