Aug 6, 2020
Warrant Officer William Bode was born in St. Joseph, Missouri in
1923. After high school, he worked as a salesman for a surgical
supply company, which made him a perfect candidate as a medic when
he was drafted in the US Army. He was assigned to the 311th medical
battalion as part of the 86th Infantry, the Blackhawks. The Medical
Battalion always accompanied a Division in the field, with its
primary mission to care for the Allied casualties. The medics found
themselves caring for German prisoners as well as our own soldiers.
Bill’s battery of medics also vaccinated children in a local
village for measles which had reached epidemic proportions.
At the conclusion of the War in Europe, Bill’s unit was redeployed
to Luzon. Subsequently, Bill joined the reserves and married
Margaret Clark. After completing his college years, he returned to
sell medical supplies in the south, making Louisiana their home in
1945, where they raised their 5 children. Bill passed away in
Mandeville on March 31, 2019.