In a touching ceremony held earlier this year, the American Legion Post 466 in Von Ormy, on the outskirts of San Antonio, was officially named after native son and World War II Navy veteran Odilón “Odie” De León. The February 15th dedication honors a man whose story embodies sacrifice, resilience, and the lasting impact of war.

 

From Von Ormy Sharecroppers to Naval Service

 

Born on June 28, 1927, in Von Ormy, Texas, Odilón De León came from humble beginnings. His parents, Helena (Helen) and Genaro (Henry) De León, were sharecroppers who worked tirelessly to support their family of 14 children.

 

Following in the footsteps of his father—a World War I veteran who received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in the Meuse-Argonne Forest offensive in France in 1918—17-year-old Odie enlisted in the Navy with parental consent on September 22, 1944. His service was a source of immense pride for his family, especially as he joined three older brothers already serving in World War II: Eliseo and Leo in the Navy and Santiago in the Army.

 

Heroism and Sacrifice Near Okinawa

 

On May 3, 1945, De León’s ship, the LSM(R) 195 (Landing Ship Medium Rockets), was struck by a Japanese kamikaze attack approximately 75 miles from Okinawa Island. The attack was catastrophic—the ship carried 300 rocket launchers, which created an “hellacious explosion” and unusual amount of shrapnel when ignited.

 

“The concussive impact was so great, it threw my shoes off,” De León recalled in a 2009 interview.

 

De León suffered shrapnel wounds to one ankle and burns to his foot. Thrown into the sea with several shipmates, they formed a circle in the water and used a flashlight to signal for rescue. They spent several hours in the water before being picked up and transported to the hospital ship USS Solace.

 

The Unseen Wounds of War

 

While De León recovered from his physical injuries, he battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for the remainder of his life. At that time, PTSD wasn’t recognized as a mental illness, and those suffering were often stigmatized as “locos” (crazy) or “borrachos” (drunks).

 

“We were trained to kill, but they didn’t debrief us, they just handed me a paper and said, ‘Go home,'” De León shared in his interview. “We were grown men by the time we were 18, 19, and had been through so much in life, so much pain. All of this was stacking up on you.”

 

Despite working in the automotive industry in Houston for many years, his illness eventually caught up with him. De León later moved in with his sister, Dolores Beardsley, in San Antonio before receiving care at the Community Living Center next to the Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital, where he passed away on January 3, 2017.

 

A Ceremony Steeped in Tradition and Respect

 

The dedication ceremony began with the Southwest Legacy High School honor guard of Von Ormy presenting the Colors under the leadership of Master Chief John Seales. This solemn presentation was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the playing of “Anchors Aweigh,” honoring De León’s naval service.

 

Deacon Dennis Pérez delivered a moving speech about De León’s life and service, highlighting his sacrifice and resilience. Following this tribute, the Legion commander and vice commander took the podium to explain the extensive process of naming the post—a procedure that took well over a year to complete. They also shared what the Legion means to veterans and the community at large.

 

The naming initiative was spearheaded by Sammy Martínez, a life-long resident of Von Ormy who championed the cause to honor the local hero. Crucial to this effort were De León’s brother Marino de León and sister Dolores Beardsley, who provided invaluable information and photographs that helped document Odie’s service and life story.

 

After the formal ceremony, Legion members and volunteers provided a meal where family and friends gathered to share memories of Odie, making it a truly meaningful celebration of his legacy.

 

“Freedom don’t come cheap. Somebody has to pay for it, and I know that I paid for mine,” De León once said. “I, and a million others, spilled our blood for the red, white and blue.”

 

The dedication marks a proud moment for the De León family and the entire Von Ormy community, ensuring that the legacy of a young man who served his country at the “ripe old age of 17” will be remembered for generations to come.