A Story Of Respect, Growth And Leadership

In an article posted at Defense.gov, is a great story about the life and career of a fellow Chief Petty Officer from 1936-1956. Odell "Kid Odell" Williams served aboard the USS Enterprise, the oiler USS Salamonie, general stores issue ship USS Acubens, attack transport USS Henry T. Allen, attack transport USS Noble, cruiser USS Des Moines, and naval Operating Base Argentina, Newfoundland, Canada.

Chief Odell Williams was one of the first African Americans to join the Navy as something other than a steward and later served in the Battle of Midway. He says his best memory of his Naval service was aboard the USS Enterprise because of their teamwork, lack of racial divides, and hard work. Kid said of that experience, "You went to your battle station, no matter what your special duties were. Discipline was hard."

Kid says his worst memory was aboard the USS Des Moines in 1950 when the CO supported kicking him out of Chiefs' berthing because he didn't want any troubles.

Despite his hardships dealing with segregation in the United States Navy, he's not only grateful for the people he met and the life lessons he learned, but he continues to "Be The Chief" and do what he must to help develop our young Americans. He still, to this day, finds the time and energy to speak to young children in local schools about discipline, the importance of positive self-esteem, objectives, cooperation, mutual respect for others and responsibility. As Kid puts it, "If you don't think something of yourself, who is going to think anything of you?...And forget about peer pressure; if you have an idea, speak up about it."

It doesn't seem like much has changed over the last 117 years with regard to what it means to "Be The Chief". I will be thinking about Chief Kid Odell Williams' legacy, and the legacy of all others who have gone before us, as we train our next generation of Chief Petty Officers this fall.


V/r,

Derek Beck
President, CSRA CPOA