World War II Honoree

Wilfred R. Woods

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wenatchee, Washington

Honored By

Kathy and Rufus Woods

Relationship

Wife and Son

ENTERED SERVICE SUMMER 1942 AND WAS ASSIGNED TO OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL, 4TH AIR FORCE IN SAN FRANCISCO. THIS AIR FORCE PROVIDED AIR DEFENSE ON THE WEST COAST OF THE U.S. AFTER ONE YEAR HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO MUROC ARMY AIR BASE, CALIFORNIA TO JOIN THE NEWLY ACTIVATED 412TH FIGHTER GROUP. AT A REMOTE SITE ON MUROC AIR BASE, THE 412TH CONDUCTED EXPERIMENTAL TESTS ON THE FIRST JET PROPELLED AIRCRAFT, THE BELL XP-59 AND THE LOCKHEED XP-80 SHOOTING STAR. DURING TESTS AND EVALUATION HE PREPARED FINAL REPORTS ON AIRCRAFT CAPABILITIES INCLUDING COMPARISON BETWEEN THE XP-80 AND THE P-51 MUSTANG. THE 412TH BECAME THE FIRST JET FIGHTER GROUP TO BE ACTIVATED WITH THE PRIMARY MISSION OF EXPERIMENTAL TESTING, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, AND JET FIGHTER CREW TRAINING. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN THE SPRING OF 1946 HAVING ATTAINED THE RANK OF TECHNICAL SERGEANT. HIS AWARDS AND DECORATIONS INCLUDE THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.