HUGH WOOD, JR., LCDR, USN
Hugh Wood, Jr. '40
Lucky Bag
From the 1940 Lucky Bag:
HUGH WOOD, JR.
Dayton, Ohio
Hug
He came from the "wilds" of Ohio into the civilization of Maryland. Such an abrupt change has had no effect on "Temperamental Hughie." He still remains the close friend, quick thinking, fast-on-the-answers personality that shows an experience belied by his twenty-odd years. He relishes a plaintive melody, a bang up lacrosse game, and a fast session of ice hockey, but would rather face a firing squad than a bridge partner. With his ability to size-up quickly a dangerous situation and his love for wandering, both real and imaginary, he will always be happy in the Navy, and we are certain that the Navy cannot do without Hugh — just ask him!
Lacrosse 4, 3, 2, 1, 40; Masqueraders 2, 1, President 1; Hop Committee 3, 1; Radio Club 2; Regimental C.P.O.
HUGH WOOD, JR.
Dayton, Ohio
Hug
He came from the "wilds" of Ohio into the civilization of Maryland. Such an abrupt change has had no effect on "Temperamental Hughie." He still remains the close friend, quick thinking, fast-on-the-answers personality that shows an experience belied by his twenty-odd years. He relishes a plaintive melody, a bang up lacrosse game, and a fast session of ice hockey, but would rather face a firing squad than a bridge partner. With his ability to size-up quickly a dangerous situation and his love for wandering, both real and imaginary, he will always be happy in the Navy, and we are certain that the Navy cannot do without Hugh — just ask him!
Lacrosse 4, 3, 2, 1, 40; Masqueraders 2, 1, President 1; Hop Committee 3, 1; Radio Club 2; Regimental C.P.O.
Loss
Hugh was lost while attempting to land the first prototype A2D Skyshark on 19 December 1950, on its 15th flight. He was unable to check the rate of descent, resulting in a high-impact crash on the runway.
Other Information
His parents were Hugh Leroy Wood Sr., air conditioning salesman, and mother was Aileen.
Bombing Squadron (VB) 82 was commissioned in New Jersey on April 1, 1944; Hugh was the executive officer. After training for the rest of the year, and embarking aboard USS Bennington (CV 20) Hugh became acting commanding officer on December 31 and then permanent commanding officer on January 11.
In May 1945, while departing on a combat flight, Hugh's bombing aircraft crashed on takeoff when the catapult bridle broke. He and his aircrewman were rescued unharmed.
From The War History of Bombing Squadron (VB) 82:
Lt. Comdr. WOOD prepared for the United States Naval Academy at Stanton Preparatory School, Cornwall, N.Y. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1940. He served aboard the U.S.S. PHOENIX from August 1940 to September 1942 as Turret Officer in main battery gunnery and as Control Officer in an anti-aircraft battery.
He received aviation training at New Orleans and Pensacola, and operational training at Daytona Beach, Flee, where he also served as instruotor in dive bombing.
In 1942, Lt. Comdr. WOOD married Ann McCURLEY of Baltimore, Md. They have a son, Kelly WOOD. The WOOD's home address is 302 W. Norman Ave., Dayton, Ohio.
Hugh is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Photographs
From the Lucky Bag
From the War History of Bombing Squadron (VB) 82
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Hugh Wood, Jr. (NSN: 0-85378), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Bomber and Flight Leader in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VB-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action while leading a bombing mission over Hiroshima Bay, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Lieutenant Commander Wood initiated and led a coordinated dive-bombing attack against a YAMATO class battleship and its screen, within sight and range of a major Naval base. In spite of heavily-concentrated, intense, and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the battleship, its screening force, and the surrounding shore batteries, which damaged six of the eleven aircraft engaged, he prosecuted the attack with aggressiveness and determination. His bomb was observed to strike squarely amidships on the battleship, as the first of three direct hits to be scored by his attacking group. His skillful coordination and execution of this attack, and his courageous, inspiring leadership were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0592 (July 4, 1945)
Action Date: 19-Mar-45
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Company: Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82)
Regiment: Air Group 82 (AG-82)
Division: U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Hugh Wood, Jr. (NSN: 0-85378), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Bomber and Flight Leader of Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VB-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet off Kyushu, Japan, 7 April 1945. Leading his flight of dive bombers in a coordinated strike against an enemy battleship in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the target and from a strong screening force of light cruisers and destroyers under unfavorable weather conditions, Lieutenant Commander Wood unhesitatingly dived within the cloud layer beneath which the hostile Task Force had sought cover and, pressing home a steep-angle attack, placed his bomb squarely amidships, causing a violent explosion and probably major damage to the Japanese vessel. His inspiring leadership and gallant devotion to duty were contributing factors to the success of a hazardous engagement and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0592 (July 4, 1945)
Action Date: April 7, 1945
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Company: Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82)
Regiment: Air Group 82 (AG-82)
Division: U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)
Silver Star
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Hugh Wood, Jr. (NSN: 0-85378), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Pilot and Squadron Leader of a carrier-based Navy Bomber in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VB-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), during action against enemy airfield installations in the Tokyo Area, on 16 February 1945. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire and extremely adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant Commander Wood courageously led his squadron in daring strikes against selected installations and, maneuvering his plane for maximum striking power, pressed home a vigorous attack at low level to score a direct hit on a large hanger. By his leadership, superb airmanship and devotion to the fulfillment of his hazardous mission, Lieutenant Commander Wood upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0281 (March 30, 1945)
Action Date: 16-Feb-45
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Company: Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82)
Regiment: Air Group 82 (AG-82)
Division: U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)
Distinguished Flying Cross
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Hugh Wood, Jr. (NSN: 0-85378), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO, attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Tokyo, Nanpo Shoto and Nansei Shoto from 17 February to 14 April 1945. Leading twenty strikes against enemy shipping, airfields and military installations, Lieutenant Commander Wood contributed materially to the success of his squadron. His gallant devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0585 (July 3, 1945)
Action Date: February 17 - April 14, 1945
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Company: Bombing Squadron 82 (VB-82)
Regiment: Air Group 82 (AG-82)
Division: U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20)
Related Articles
Thomas Edwards, Jr. '37 was also a member of Scouting Squadron (VS) 2 during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Edward Degarmo '40 was commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 82 during the period when Hugh was commanding officer of Bombing Squadron (VB) 82; both aboard USS Bennington (CV 20).
The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.
The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.
The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.
Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.
June 1940
April 1941
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
