The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class John Thomas Odom (ASN: RA-24602563), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, on 18 February 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Private First Class Odom was accompanying a team from the reconnaissance platoon on a patrol in the vicinity of Phan Thiet,. While his unit was moving down the trail, a mine was command detonated. Private First Class Odom, the radio telephone operator, was mortally wounded along with two men who were seriously wounded. Immediately after the detonation of the mine, Viet Cong snipers began firing intensely on the two remaining members of the squad. Private First Class Odom realized that if the snipers continued to keep the two men pinned down the entire squad would be annihilated. Even though mortally wounded and in extreme pain he began placing effective suppressive fire on the enemy, giving the two pinned down men the cover fire they needed to maneuver on the insurgents. Sustaining his fire, he radioed to another element for assistance. Private First Class Odom was solely responsible for saving the patrol from annihilation. His unimpeachable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and cast great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.