CAPT. JOHN J. ODONNELL, USN, RET., a longtime resident of Mt. Pleasant, SC, widow of Jean Martindale ODonnell, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2011.
ODonnell was born in Baldwin, NY in April 1927, son of the late Joseph and Agnes Knoedler ODonnell. He graduated from La Salle High School in 1944 and from the New York State Maritime Academy in October 1946, at which time he was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve and the US Maritime Service. He sailed on U.S. Merchant ships prior to entering the U.S. Navy. Capt. ODonnell married Jean Martindale, who predeceased him, in Calcutta India in March 1951. He is survived by five sons and their wives, Michael (Pam) who resides in Aurora, IL, John (Kathy) who resides in Johns Island, SC, Matt (Kathy) who resides in James Island, SC, and Dan (Jody) and Joseph (Sybil), both of Mt. Pleasant, SC; five daughters and their husbands, Carol Norman (Rick), Kathleen Coulthard (Mark), Susan Vevon (Jerry), Beth McBrayer (Johnny) and Kellie Robinson (Robbie), all of Mt. Pleasant, SC; twenty grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with two great grandchildren on the way. He is also survived by his brother, Joseph ODonnell of Bonita Springs, FL. During more than twenty years of Naval Service, Capt. ODonnell served on several Atlantic Fleet ships and shore stations. His decorations include the Legion of Merit with Combat V for action in Vietnam, the Navy Commendation Medal, several Vietnamese decorations, the Navy Meritorious Unit Award and many Merchant Marine and Navy service awards. After his retirement from the Navy in February 1977, he worked as operations manager for Containership Agency and Neptune Orient Line in the Port of Charleston for 13 years. His local service included five years as a director of the Tri-County American Red Cross and several years as a member and later as Commissioner of the State Pilot Commission. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the American Legion, Post 10624 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Propeller Club.
I had the pleasure of meeting Captain O'Donnell at an alumni dinner in Charleston a few years ago and while telling sea stories, as we are prone to do, I realized that he had been the senior Naval Advisor in the First Coastal Zone in Viet Nam, as well as the Task Group Commander of the Danang CSC .... and would have been my CO if we were there at the same time ..... he was there after me. Captain O'Donnell was awarded the Legion of Merit for his service in Viet Nam, a pretty high honor.It was a pleasure to meet him and discuss our common background. I mourn his loss and wish his family the best.
Mike Quinto '64
FMSAA