Marvin LeRoy Odefey
"Marv"
d 2024
Biography as of Feb 19, 2013
Marv Odefey was born on February 18, 1940, in Gregory, South Dakota, but resided in Platte, South Dakota. He attended the Platte Public School System, graduating in 1958. During high school, he excelled in track, basketball, band, Declamation (oratory), and was President of his Junior and Senior classes. He attended one year of collegiate work at Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota prior to entering the United States Air Force Academy in June, 1959.
He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in June, 1963. While at the Academy, he was elected Treasurer of his class and was recognized for his performance of military training.
He completed Weapons Controller School at Tyndall Air Force Base Florida and was assigned to the 767th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron at Charleston Air Force Station, Maine, a satellite facility of Dow Air Force Base (AFB), Bangor, Maine. As a Weapons Control Officer, he worked with both the US Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force regarding air defense matters of the North American continent. In February, 1965, he departed for the Republic of Korea where he served as a Battle Staff Controller in the 314th Air Division Master Direction Center. Upon his return to the US in 1966 and with the objective of returning to school, he entered the Minuteman II program at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. While there he became a Select Missile Combat Crew Commander and achieved instructor and standboard crew status. Concurrently, he completed a master€™s degree program of the University of Southern California and earned a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management.
In 1971, Captain Odefey was sent to Southeast Asia, initially to Udorn, Thailand and shortly thereafter to Saigon, South Viet Nam as Chief, Standardization and Training for the 505th Tactical Control Group. During this period, he was instrumental in staff supervision of units providing radar control to offensive, defensive, strategic and non-tactical aircraft operating within Southeast Asia. For his efforts, Captain Odefey was award the Bronze Star.
His next assignments included Chief, Operations Branch of the 90th Strategic Missile Wing Codes Division at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. In 1974, he was assigned to Headquarters, Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, and became a missile staff officer in the Advanced Missile Development Division and was instrumental in defining requirements for the Peacekeeper (M-X) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System.
Lt Col Odefey attended the National War College in residence during 1978-79. His next assignment was Commander of the 740th Strategic Missile Squadron, Minot AFB, North Dakota. In April, 1981, he was designated Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations for the 91 Strategic Missile Wing, Minot AF, North Dakota.
In 1981, Colonel Odefey returned to Hq, Strategic Air Command as Chief, Advanced Missile Development with concurrent duty as Special Assistant to CINCSAC for the Peacekeeper (M-X) missile. In 1983, Colonel Odefey was reassigned to Deputy Commander for Operations, 90 Strategic Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.
Colonel Odefey separated from the United States Air Force January 1, 1985. His awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the USAF Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the National Defense Service Medal.
He went to work for Martin Marietta€™s Astronautics Group in Denver, Colorado, as a Systems Engineer in their Strategic Systems Division. In 1990, he transferred to Martin Marietta€™s Space Systems Division as Manager, of Business Development and continued in that capacity until his retirement from Lockheed Martin January 1, 1999.
Since retirement, Marv has been a Project Manager for the Colorado State Historical Society, Treasurer and a Director on the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Astronautical Society, a member of the Advisory Group of the National Space Science Technology Institute, Director on the Board of Directors for Left Hand Design Corporation, a provider of precision pointing and steering instruments for space, and numerous volunteer activities through his church and the men€™s organization, Knights of Columbus.
Marv resides in Pueblo West, Colorado with his wife, Angie.