Odus Charles Litzelfelner was born on December 28, 1918, in Neelys Landing, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. He was the son of Odus Cleveland Litzelfelner and Ethel Masterson Litzelfelner. He was married to Dorothy Bernice Davis Seabaugh. He enlisted in the Army on April 30, 1941, and initially served in the infantry before transferring to the Army Air Forces. After extensive training, he was deployed overseas in January 1945 and flew missions over Belgium, France, and Holland. Odus served in the 427th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Flight Officer and Co-Pilot of the B-17 42-31060 'Pogue Ma Hone' during World War II.

On February 9, 1945, during Mission 313, two B-17 bombers from the 427th Bomb Squadron collided in mid-air over Lutzkendorf, Germany. B-17G #42-31060 "Pogue Ma Hone," piloted by 1Lt Alfred K. Nemer, was hit by flak, causing its right wing to strike the tail of B-17G #43-39149, piloted by 2Lt Robert J. Barrat. Barrat's plane broke apart, while Nemer’s B-17 descended 10,000 feet but remained somewhat under control despite two damaged engines. Unable to return to England, the crew aimed for Russian lines. After facing ice buildup, the crew bailed out over Jaraczewo, Poland. Three crew members were rescued by Russian troops, one was captured by the Germans, and the rest, including F/O Litzelferner, were killed in action.

F/O Litzelferner is now buried in the Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery, Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, USA.

Source of information: http://www.303rdbg.com/