Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Elwood
Woody
August 22, 1919

–

August 7, 2012

Born:

Hollins

, 

Virginia

Home:

Roanoke

, 

Virginia

Buried: 

Roanoke

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Blue Ridge Memorial Garden

Robert Woody enlisted in and received his commission in the Virginia National Guard in 1939, before transferring to the Army Air Forces. During World War II, he became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 7 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1968 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 17 (March 7, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert Elwood Woody (ASN: 0-411901), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in accomplishing fifty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Robert Elwood Woody (ASN: 0-411901), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 24, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 28 (May 10, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Robert Elwood Woody (ASN: 0-411901), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 24 April 1944. On this date Captain Woody led a flight of fighter airplanes on a bomber escort mission over enemy territory. When he was warned that a flight of six enemy fighters were attacking the bomber formation, Captain Woody, disregarding the numerically superior strength of the enemy, without hesitation attacked the enemy formation and destroyed two if its planes. Determined to defend the bombers, and although he was now within the field of their fire, he continued the attack and destroyed two more enemy planes and shared in the destruction of another with his last rounds of ammunition. Despite the fact that he was now defenseless and deep in enemy territory he continued to escort the bombers, fearlessly turning into enemy fighters threatening to attack, and causing them to turn away. The extraordinary heroism and aggressiveness displayed by Captain Woody upon this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    354th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 45 (May 29, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert Elwood Woody (ASN: 0-411901), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial combat and the destruction of four enemy airplanes as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy over enemy occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.