Ossee Lee Bodenhamer (June 27, 1891 – June 19, 1933) was an American businessman who served as the 12th national commander of the American Legion from 1929 to 1930.

O. L. Bodenhamer
Bodenhamer in 1929
Born
Ossee Lee Bodenhamer

(1891-06-27)June 27, 1891
DiedJune 19, 1933(1933-06-19) (aged 41)
Cause of deathBurns from explosion
Resting placeArlington Cemetery,
El Dorado, Arkansas, U.S.
33°13′07.0″N 92°39′02.2″W / 33.218611°N 92.650611°W / 33.218611; -92.650611
Alma materHoward Payne University
Baylor University (BA)
Occupations
  • Teacher
  • businessman
Title12th National Commander of The American Legion
Term1929 – 1930
PredecessorPaul V. McNutt
SuccessorRalph T. O'Neil
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Irene Richardson
(m. 1930)
Children2
Parents
  • John Richard Bodenhamer
  • Anna Lee Hopkins
Military service
Nickname(s)"Bodie"
BranchUnited States Army
Years of service1917–1919
RankMajor
Commands held3d Battalion, 19th Infantry
WarsWorld War I
AwardsWorld War I Victory Medal

Biography edit

Ossee Lee Bodenhamer was born in Goldthwaite, Texas, graduating from Baylor University with a bachelor's degree in 1914. During World War I, he served in Georgia, Ohio, and Texas as an infantry officer. After the war, Bodenhamer moved to El Dorado, Arkansas, where he established a successful real estate company.[1] At the 11th national convention in 1929, he was unanimously elected national commander of The American Legion.[2] In 1932, he unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, losing in the primary election to Hattie Caraway. He died in Shreveport, Louisiana, on June 19, 1933.[3]

Honors edit

See also edit

Notes edit

  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Archives and Records Administration.


References edit

  1. ^ Von Blon, Philip (January 1930). "Conquistador, New Style". The American Legion Monthly. Vol. 8, no. 1. Indianapolis, Ind.: The Legion Publishing Corporation. pp. 20–23, 52–54. ISSN 0886-1234 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ^ "General". The Pathfinder. No. 1868. Washington, D.C.: Pathfinder Publishing Co. October 19, 1929. p. 9 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ "Former Legion Commander Dies". The Oelwein Daily Register. Vol. XXVII, no. 273. Oelwein, Iowa. June 20, 1933. p. 2. Retrieved January 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Burkhalter, Frank E. (June 5, 1930). "Baylor University Concludes Her Most Significant Year". Baptist Standard. Vol. XLII, no. 23. Dallas, Texas. p. 14. Retrieved June 1, 2022.

External links edit

Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by National Commander of the American Legion
1929–1930
Succeeded by