Delk M. Oden

Delk McCorkle Oden (13 July 1911 – 13 June 1997) was a major general in the United States Army who served during World War II and the Vietnam War.

Early life

Oden was born in Gordon, Texas. Oden attended Marion Military Institute.

Oden returned to the continental United States in November 1939 and then served in the 7th and 10th Cavalry Regiments. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 12 June 1940 and captain on 9 September 1940. On 15 August he led Task Force Oden comprising the 704th and the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion and the 66th Armored Field Artillery Battalion as part of the attack on Orléans and with other 4th Division units they liberated the city by 16 August. On 28 March 1945, while leading the 35th Tank Battalion in combat near Guissen, Germany, he would be involved in actions leading to the award of the Distinguished Service Cross.

From October 1945 to March 1946 he served as Chief of Staff of the 4th Armored Division. He returned to the U.S. and served as Plans officer on the General Staff at the Pentagon from April to August 1946. He attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth from August 1946 to June 1947. He served as Plans officer at the Pentagon again from December 1947 to August 1949. He attended the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia from September 1949 to January 1950.

In May 1963 he was assigned to South Vietnam as Chief of the Army section of Military Assistance Advisory Group, Vietnam. In May 1964 he was appointed Commanding General, U.S. Army Support Command, Vietnam and served in that role until March 1965. His wife Margaret Avery Oden (4 February 191415 May 2002) was interred next to him on 4 October 2002.

Decorations His decorations included the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal (2), Silver Star (2), Legion of Merit, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star (2), Purple Heart (2) and the Croix de Guerre (2).