World War II Honoree

Tom Woodruff

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

St. Louis, Missouri

Honored By

Joe Arsena

LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE, SERVED WITH THE NAVY AS A GRUMMAN F6F HELLCAT PILOT AND SAW ACTION IN THE PACIFIC. HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AIR MEDAL AND NAVY CROSS BEFORE BEING REPORTED MISSING IN 1944. A YEAR LATER HE WAS AWARDED A THIRD GOLD STAR TO GO WITH HIS AIR MEDAL FOR AERIAL BRAVERY AGAINST A JAPANESE DESTROYER OFF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ON ARMISTICE DAY 1944. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED. HE IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY AT FORT BONIFACIO IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WHERE HIS DATE OF DEATH IS LISTED AS NOVEMBER 15, 1945.