World War II Honoree

Earl Vincent Wood

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Danville, Virginia

Honored By

Rebecca Wood

Relationship

Daughter

STAFF SERGEANT; WAS A LEFT WAIST GUNNER ON A B-24 LIBERATOR, WITH THE 492ND BOMB SQUADRON, BASED OUT OF RAF PICKENHAM, ENGLAND. HE WAS AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL FOR COMPLETION OF NUMEROUS MISSIONS OVER ENEMY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES. ON ONE SUCH MISSION, HIS AIRCRAFT TOOK ENEMY FLAK AND LOST THREE OF IT'S ENGINES. THEY JUST BARELY MADE IT BACK TO THE ALLIED LINE BEFORE THE CAPTAIN ORDERED THE CREW TO BAIL OUT. ONE CREW MEMBER WAS LOST BECAUSE HIS PARACHUTE DIDN'T OPEN, BUT THE REST WERE RESCUED AND RETURNED TO BASE. FROM PICKENHAM, HE MOVED TO RAF HARRINGTON, AND FLEW MISSIONS WITH THE CARPETBAGGERS (SEGER CREW), WITH THE 856TH BOMB SQUADRON.