April 1917

Odell graduates from Occidental College in Los Angeles and shortly after enlists in the United States Army Ambulance Service (USAAS).

Swipe up to see Odell's military particulars.

Morgan S. Odell's military information at the time of his discharge, showing his rank (Sergeant) and USAAS section designation (565).

Cpl. Odell's section is transferred to the Italian-Austrian Front at the village of Fonte, in the region of Veneto in Northeastern Italy.

August 1, 1918

Image: Odell, left, leaning against an ambulance.

Swipe up to see Odell's description of a gas attack.

Image: Letter from Odell to his mother on August 6, 1918

“I had a good chance to learn the roads, rest and read all at leisure and had almost decided that our war was a tame affair until yesterday. They had a big day evidently over among the Tedeschi, as they call the enemy over here, so they tossed a lot of shells over the mountains for us to dodge. The shells themselves did not bother us a great deal although they ripped holes in the road up a ways. By accident or design they mixed up some gas shells with the others and so just about the time I was enjoying a late meal after a long run things began to get interesting. We could see the clouds of gas from the bursting shells but did not know what it meant until the sickish, sweet odor came down to us and then we jumped for those ever present masks. I got it on in hurry-up time and cannot remember now whether the snaps on the satchel stuck or not. Don’t believe they did as it did not take long to get properly attired. We kept them on for one hour and twenty minutes which was hard work as they fit too closely. We were with the medical troops so kept them on until things were officially clear. It is brain tiring work sitting around with a pair of pincers on your nose, a hose in your mouth, looking thru a pair of fogged eyepieces with a strong elastic cutting the top of you head off and wondering just how much gas is outside. Glad it does not happen very often or I might grow bald-headed.”

Odell describes a gas attack:

Section 565 is attached to the 30th Army Corps and participates in the climactic Battle of Vittorio-Veneto, an Italian offensive that forces Austria out of the War.

October 24 - November 3 1918

Swipe up to see Odell's reflections on this time.

Image: Courtesy of the United States Military Academy Department of History.

“I have seen some of the hell of war lately and found it a thing to be abhorred and be gotten through with. I have carried wounded enemies who have been cared for with the rest so there is no hate in my heart except at those who have caused this thing.”

Image: Odell's letter to Ruth on October 28, 1918, four days in to the battle of Vittorio-Veneto.

Odell's reflections on war:

An armistice is declared on the Western Front, ending hostilities between the Allies and the Central Powers. It officially takes effect at 11am, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.

November 11, 1918

Swipe up to see a menu from the "Peace Banquet" for Odell and his fellow soldiers.

Image: Crowds celebrate armistice outside Buckingham Palace.

Credit: Central Press [Getty Images].

Sgt. Odell is discharged from the US Army and joins the American Red Cross. He visits the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, two months before the signing of the Treaty of Versailles by the German delegation that officially ends the First World War.

April 27, 1919

Image: The Signing of Peace in the Hall of Mirrors, 28th June 1919, by Sir William Orpen. Courtesy of the Imperial War Museum.

Swipe up to see Odell's thoughts on his visit.

“We stood in the long room of the Mirrors on the spot where the Peace of 1919 will be signed by the Germans. The French took a bitter dose in the same place from the Prussians in 1871 and are now coming back. These Parisians papers certainly give the laugh to the German delegates now arriving. They make fun of their dress and equipage and especially point out those things of dress and nature which the German always exhibits. It is not criticism that hurts but the French are rather amused at the arrogant manner and German victory attitude which these envoys are at present exhibiting. ..Sentiment is much behind Wilson here and especially among those who have followed the trouble at all...We ask nothing else from the Peace for our sacrifices other than a recognition of our principles in regard to rising people and fair dealing between all nations...Wilson’s messages of late have been mighty straightforward documents and I am glad he is on the job."

A Letter Describing Odell's thoughts on his trip to Versailles:

Image: Odell's letter to Ruth on May 1, 1919.

Swipe up to see Odell reflecting on the "resurrection of Peace and love."

“This is the first Easter for some years which has not passed in terrible war. It is the resurrection of Peace and love in the world. Besides these are all the new nations and peoples who have found in this Easter a resurrection of liberty and self-development. This year has seemingly meant one of widened vision to many nations. I think, though we know little of these, that new forces have entered the world and there has been opened wider fields for service among peoples in all lines of education and Christ’s gospel.”

Image: Odell's letter to his mother, April 20 1919. 

Odell departs Marseilles, France, bound for Romania aboard the Japanese merchant ship Fukui Maru. He spends a month there working with the American Red Cross. After his assignment is complete, he returns to France.

July 2, 1919

Swipe up to see a copy of Odell's passport application.

Odell's passport application for his travels to Eastern Europe. He traveled through Romania, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, and the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, the predecessor to the country of Yugoslavia.

Image: Ancestry.com

July 6, 1919

Odell sails through the Dardanelles in Turkey and passes by the famous battleground of Gallipoli on his way to Romania. 

Swipe up to see an excerpt from a letter from this moment.

“This morning about four o’clock we came  thru the Dardanelles Channel. Some places it is less than two miles wide and one could swim ashore from the boat except that there is nothing there if you got ashore. There were towers on either side of small stone buildings with here and there a white washed house still in fair shape. Then we came to Gallipoli with its wreck of buildings and forts and hillsides ploughed by English shell and understood why the English failed here. The hills are sown thick with forts and a ship has little chance.”

Image: Odell's letter to Ruth on July 6, 1919.

Odell on Gallipolli:

Odell receives his Doctorate in Divinity from the University of Chicago and joins the Religion faculty at his undergraduate alma mater, Occidental College.

1931

Swipe up to see a letter to Odell from an Occidental student.

Dear Dr. Odell,

     After, talking with you Monday I was determined to finish this semester at least. Yesterday as I was about to leave for school, my brother returned and related his experience. He made several attempts to board a street car in order to go to work but was prevented from doing so. Whether his experience was just an isolated case or not, I don't know, but I think that it's best to withdraw from school, as I am dependent upon the street car to go to school.

     I haven't any plans and really don't know what to do, as I am very limited. One thing though, even if I can't become an ordained minister, I will do my best to help and guide others to our Lord –– especially people like myself –– American citizens of Japanese ancestors. We need spiritual help and guidance during these days. Our faith is truly being tried.

     Please accept my most sincere thanks for your kind advice and help and will you kindly extend to Dr. Fitch my thanks for his kind counseling.

     My fervent prayers are for our country. May God grant our leaders wisdom and strength so that justice, righteousness and love shall prevail.

Gratefully, 

Sinpachi Kanow

A letter from a Japanese-American Occidental student, sent three days after the attack on Pearl Harbor:

Image: Letter to Odell, December 10, 1941

Albany College is renamed Lewis & Clark College and established on the grounds of the Lloyd Frank estate, its current location. Dr. Odell becomes the first president of Lewis & Clark.

1942

Swipe up to see the original announcement of Odell's appointment.

A page from the May 1942 issue of the Albany Bulletin newsletter announcing the appointment of Odell and the move from Albany to Portland.