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Independence, MO —
Joseph O’Donnell
Marine Corps
1942-1946
90 years old
JOINING UP
Joseph O’Donnell was born and raised in Kansas City. He joined the Marine Corps in 1942 because he was headed on a path of self destruction and knew he better change the course of his life quickly. Joseph knew by joining the Marines he would get a chance to fight… and a fight was what he was looking for. He later regretted that thought.
Joseph went to San Diego for boot camp, where he graduated from Radio Operator School. He then was sent to Camp Pendleton. That was the first time he laid eyes on the tanks, and his job was to put radios in the tanks and make sure they worked properly.
GUADALCANAL
In December 1942, Joseph was put on a ship and headed out on the Pacific with no idea where they were going. At this time he was part of A Company, 3rd Tank Division, 3rd Marine Division. They arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, where their job was to turn a race track into a place where they could work on and train with their tanks. They spent 40 days there, then they were put on a ship and landed in Guadalcanal. They were shelled daily and bombed at night by the Japanese planes. More troops continued to arrive to help with the effort.
Before Joseph went to Guam he was given the choice to change regiments, and he chose the 4th Marine Regiment, 1st provisional Marine Brigade.
GUAM
Joseph’s tank company was put aboard a ship once again and headed to Guam, where they were engaged in fierce battles and lost a lot of men. The USS Pennsylvania was brought in to support them. At one point, the radio in their jeep went out and Joseph was sent on foot as a messenger. He was surprised by a Japanese officer who held samurai sword in his hand. Joseph raised his carbine gun and shot him, but the officer still came at him, Joseph remembered he had a .45 on his hip and that is what it took to stop the officer. Joseph had the thought that he better take the sword from the Japanese officer. The sword was eventually mailed back to Joseph’s dad, and it was displayed in Kresge’s store in Independence for a brief time. Later Joseph donated the sword to the Marine Corps museum.
Joseph also fought in Okinawa and was part of breaking the back of the Shuri Castle line. Joseph says, “Thanks, Harry Truman for dropping the atomic bomb; it saved many lives.”
Joseph O’Donnell
Marine Corps
1942-1946
90 years old
JOINING UP
Joseph O’Donnell was born and raised in Kansas City. He joined the Marine Corps in 1942 because he was headed on a path of self destruction and knew he better change the course of his life quickly. Joseph knew by joining the Marines he would get a chance to fight… and a fight was what he was looking for. He later regretted that thought.
Joseph went to San Diego for boot camp, where he graduated from Radio Operator School. He then was sent to Camp Pendleton. That was the first time he laid eyes on the tanks, and his job was to put radios in the tanks and make sure they worked properly.
GUADALCANAL
In December 1942, Joseph was put on a ship and headed out on the Pacific with no idea where they were going. At this time he was part of A Company, 3rd Tank Division, 3rd Marine Division. They arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, where their job was to turn a race track into a place where they could work on and train with their tanks. They spent 40 days there, then they were put on a ship and landed in Guadalcanal. They were shelled daily and bombed at night by the Japanese planes. More troops continued to arrive to help with the effort.
Before Joseph went to Guam he was given the choice to change regiments, and he chose the 4th Marine Regiment, 1st provisional Marine Brigade.
GUAM
Joseph’s tank company was put aboard a ship once again and headed to Guam, where they were engaged in fierce battles and lost a lot of men. The USS Pennsylvania was brought in to support them. At one point, the radio in their jeep went out and Joseph was sent on foot as a messenger. He was surprised by a Japanese officer who held samurai sword in his hand. Joseph raised his carbine gun and shot him, but the officer still came at him, Joseph remembered he had a .45 on his hip and that is what it took to stop the officer. Joseph had the thought that he better take the sword from the Japanese officer. The sword was eventually mailed back to Joseph’s dad, and it was displayed in Kresge’s store in Independence for a brief time. Later Joseph donated the sword to the Marine Corps museum.
Joseph also fought in Okinawa and was part of breaking the back of the Shuri Castle line. Joseph says, “Thanks, Harry Truman for dropping the atomic bomb; it saved many lives.”
CIVILIAN LIFE
Joseph was single while in the military, but had a crush on a gal from Sugar Creek. Rosa was her name, and Joseph was going to try hard to get her attention. He left her a letter before he shipped out and he received a letter back with a photo of her, and that was the beginning of a 60-year love story. Joseph and Rosa had one son and one daughter. Joseph went on to work for the railroad after he left the military.
Peggy Sowders, who is on the staff for the city of Independence, compiles interviews with veterans from the entire area at the Truman Memorial Building. Contact her at psowders@indep.mo or 816-325-7979 if you are interested in helping a veteran tell his or her story.
