Willard L. Woods
March 30, 1918 – 2002
Class: 43-H-SE
Graduation date: 8/30/1943
Rank at time of graduation: 2nd Lt.
Unit: 100th Fighter Squadron
Service # 0811295
From: Memphis, TN
Willard L. Woods and my Uncle Clarence E. “Buddy” Huntley Jr. were both in the 100th Fighter Squadron during WWII. My uncle was the Crew Chief for the Squadron Commander and Willard Wood’s plane was assigned to the same flight. B-Flight. During that period of time Willard knew my uncle as “Mother Huntly”, a term of endearment given to him by his pilot, Capt. Andrew D. Turner. Willard and Uncle Buddy remained life-long friends. He and I would go visit Willard in Palos Verdes shortly before his death and we attended his funeral where I sat quietly and watched my uncle shed tears while a fellow 100th Fighter Squadron pilot and, prominent Los Angeles Attorney Elbert Hudson delivered the eulogy.
When Willard Woods passed away in 2002, he left an indeligible mark of goodness, humility, and generosity and I just happen to be one of the many recipients of what he left behind.
Willard Louis Woods was born on March 30, 1918. His home address in Memphis was 1096 S. Lauderdale St. Memphis, TN.
He attended Booker T. Washington High School and graduated from there in 1934.
He then attended Le Moyne College from 1934 to 1938 graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, With Honors. He was the Senior Class President and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
He moved to Los Angeles, California shortly thereafter and began Law School at Loyola Law School while simultaneously working as a Baggage Porter at Los Angeles Union Train Station. His law studies and civilian employment was unfortunately disrupted as he was drafted and inducted into the U. S. Army as Private on August 3, 1942.
While in the Army he applied and passed all of the educational, aptitude, mental and physical requirements to be accepted as an Aviation Cadet with the 66th AAF Flying Training Detachment, Moton, Field, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama.
Aviation Cadet Willard L. Woods began Pre Flight training with Class 43-H in February 1943 with seventy-six Aviation Cadets. The ridged quota system and elimination rate soon became apparent with 24 cadets being eliminated from Pre-flight training, 23 eliminated from Primary Flying Training, and eight more eliminated from Basic Flying Training.
On August 30, 1943, after successfully mastering each of the following aircraft, the P-17, BT-13, and AT-6, Aviation Cadet Willard Louis Woods graduated from Tuskegee Army Air Field as a Single Engine pilot and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the United States Army Air Corps
After an additional 30 days of P-40 Fighter Transition Training at TAAF in the 1155th SEFTS. He was transferred to Selfridge Field, Michigan where he joined the 332nd FG on September 30, 1943, and he was subsequently assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron on October 1, 1943.
Of note his class was that last class to join the group before the 332nd FG was shipped overseas, thus making him one of the original members of the 332nd Fighter Group. All future pilots joining the 332nd Fighter Group and Squadrons would be considered Replacement Pilots with the exception of the pilots of the 99th FS who physically joined the 332nd FG in July 1944.
2nd Lt. Willard L. Woods departed the Unites States with the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group on January 3, 1945, and he arrived at Naples, Italy on February 3, 1944.
He flew is first combat mission on February 23, 1944, and his last combat mission was in November 1944.
In between February and November 1944, he would go on to fly a total of 149 combat missions, starting out with convoy and harbor protection mission whilst in the 12th Air Force from February 1944 to May 1944 in the P-39 Bell Air Cobra and from June 1944 to November 1944 whilst in the 15th Air Force flying P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft on Strategic Long-Range Bombing and Strafing missions. The mission’s duration were typically 5 to 7 hours. Targets ranged clockwise from Southern France, Northern Italy, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece. These missions were flown at altitudes of 27 to 33,000 feet, in subzero temperatures and in all weather conditions.
He witnessed his Commanding Officer, Capt. Robert B. Tresville, West Point, Class 1943 tragically lose his life on June 22, 1944 while flying as his wingman and he witnessed numerous other squadron mates, and friends in the other 3 Squadrons, get Killed in Action while others went Missing in Action and others becoming Prisoners of War.
For his service during WWII 1st Lt. Willard L. Woods earned the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations.
Consistently throughout many combat-mission against highly important and strategic enemy installations, Willard L. Woods, O-811295, First Lieutenant, 100th FS, 332nd FG, Los Angeles, California. Has demonstrated the highest order of professional skill, heroism, leadership and devotion to duty. Although regularly and frequently opposed by larger numbers of enemy fighters, together with intense, accurate and heavy anti-aircraft fire during which your aircraft was at times seriously damaged, you have fought through to your targets and aided in the destruction of these vital objectives. Despite severe and adverse weather conditions, rugged terrain, and many other major obstacles and hazards, you have gallantly engaged, fought and defeated the enemy without regard for your own personal safety and against great odds. Your conspicuous and extraordinary achievement throughout your many missions against the enemy have been of inestimable value to successful combat operations and have reflected great credit upon yourself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL TWINING
Among the indications that the 332nd Fighter Group has become a seasoned combat outfit was the fact that pilots of that organization began to complete their tour of duty and turned their faces homeward. In the 100th Fighter Squadron 1st Lt’s Walter J. Palmer, John F. Briggs, Willard L. Woods were the first three to complete their overseas combat tours and be transferred to Replacement Depot No.7
After some well-deserved leave, rest and recuperation Willard returned to Tuskegee Army Air Field where he would remain until his separation from the military in 1945.
Willard returned home to Los Angeles and completed Law School at Loyola. He joined as Partner of law firm, Porter & Ragland, the first black law firm in California, I in the early 1950’s, where he practiced Criminal law, primarily during that period.
He would leave there to practice initially with close friend, Elbert Hudson, focusing on Probate Law, then continued in his own practice with a continued focus on Probate, retiring in the early 1990’s after 45+ years of law practice. He continued working with clients part-time from home, until his health began to fail in the late 1990’s. Willard L. Woods passed away on January 27, 2002.
Sources: Written and submitted by Craig Huntly, Tuskegee Airmen Subject Matter Expert
