World War II Honoree

Robert Bedford 'Bob' Woolsey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Beloit, Wisconsin

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

VOLUNTEERED FOR MILITARY SERVICE AFTER THE JAPANESE SURPRISE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. HE WAS REJECTED. RECEIVED A DRAFT NOTICE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL YEAR. HIS HEADMASTER AT THE ACADEMY WHERE HE WAS TEACHING PHONED THE SECRETARY OF WAR, HENRY STIMPSON, AND REQUESTED THAT HE BE GRANTED A DEFERMENT UNTIL THE END OF THE TERM. IT WAS GRANTED. HE LATER ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN THE ARMY AIR FORCES, WAS COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT, AND SENT TO THE HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER DURING THE WAR. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.