Womack Presents Purple Heart Medal to Retired Army Staff Sergeant George F. O’Dell

BELLA VISTA, Arkansas-September 24, 2026…Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) presented the Purple Heart Medal to Retired Army Staff Sergeant George F. O'Dell who was seriously injured while deployed to Iraq in 2009.

The Purple Heart Medal is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to servicemembers who are killed or wounded by enemy action. For unknown reasons, no award was made to SSG(R) O'Dell in the years after his injury. In 2026, Congressman Womack advocated to the U.S. Army on behalf of SSG(R) O'Dell for him to receive the Purple Heart Medal.

Congressman Womack said, "Staff Sergeant O'Dell answered the call to serve his country, and because of his selfless service and personal courage, he suffered serious bodily harm. For too long, the record did not reflect that measure of devotion and sacrifice. Yet, despite the hardship and frustration that followed, Staff Sergeant O'Dell never lost sight of his commitment to his country or his fellow veterans. No medal can erase the pain of an injury, and no ceremony can fully alleviate the burden carried by those who have seen combat or who have returned home changed by war. But recognition matters, and today, I am exceedingly proud to honor Staff Sergeant O'Dell and to present him with the Purple Heart Medal on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation."

Details:

Retired Army Staff Sergeant George F. O'Dell was born on January 8, 1966, in Newark, New Jersey. After graduating high school in 1984, he relocated to south Florida and enlisted in the United States Army in 1991.

SSG(R) O'Dell attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he became a 19D Cavalry Scout. In 1994, he reclassified at Fort McClellan, Alabama, where he became a 95B Military Police Officer. Assigned to the 978 Military Police Company, Fort Bliss, Texas, he deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of Operation Vigilant Warrior.

After transitioning from active service into the United States Army Reserve in 1995, he reentered active service in 1997, attending training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he became a 91B Combat Medic.

In 2008, while assigned to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas, SSG(R) O'Dell was attached to the 10th Combat Support Hospital, Fort Carson, and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF 08-10).

While deployed, he served as the Critical Care Noncommissioned Officer-In-Charge. On July 8, 2009, while providing security and overwatch during an Iraqi patient ambulance exchange for transfer to an Iraqi hospital, SSG(R) O'Dell sustained significant injuries when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated approximately 100 meters from his position.

In 2013, SSG(R) O'Dell was medically discharged from the Army.

SSG(R) O'Dell and his wife Nancy are current residents of Pea Ridge. SSG(R) O'Dellis an active volunteer with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, a life member of Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 8109 Pea Ridge), as well as a member of American Legion Post 341 in Bella Vista.

Congressman Steve Womack would like to extend special recognition and thanks to Sheep Dog Impact Assistance for their support and stewardship of the Veterans Wall of Honor.

Photo Highlights:

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas's Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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