JAMES A. F. WOOD, 1LT, USAF

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
James Wood '56

Date of birth: March 21, 1935

Date of death: January 14, 1958

Age: 22

Lucky Bag

From the 1956 Lucky Bag:

1956 Wood LB.jpg

JAMES ALFRED FRANKLIN WOOD

Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas, is a long way from Annapolis, and Jim will probably tell you that all the land in between is Texas. In the true Texan tradition, Jim often took delight in telling those king-size yarns. During his four years stay at the Academy, he was an avid reader of "Peanuts," and devoted his time to dreaming of beautiful women and his drag for the coming weekend. Being a charter member of the "Poohes" and the SIR squad did nothing to detract from his smile or friendliness. He always seemed to be able to come through with whatever was needed, when things got tight.

1956 Wood LB.jpg

JAMES ALFRED FRANKLIN WOOD

Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas, is a long way from Annapolis, and Jim will probably tell you that all the land in between is Texas. In the true Texan tradition, Jim often took delight in telling those king-size yarns. During his four years stay at the Academy, he was an avid reader of "Peanuts," and devoted his time to dreaming of beautiful women and his drag for the coming weekend. Being a charter member of the "Poohes" and the SIR squad did nothing to detract from his smile or friendliness. He always seemed to be able to come through with whatever was needed, when things got tight.

1956 Wood LB 2.jpg

Obituary

From USNA '56:

Jim was fatally injured in an aircraft accident in 1958 in the course of his combat crew flight training. He had successfully completed primary and basic flight training commencing shortly after his graduation from the Naval Academy, having earned his silver wings as an Air Force Pilot just a few months prior to the fatal accident.

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, he was known for his outgoing personality and ready smile, as well as his athletic ability on the football field as part of Coach Erdelatz’s great teams of the 1950’s. Jim was not married.

Other Information

He is buried in Texas.

He was a member of the 3608th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Luke Air Force Base; the crash was near Swansea, Arizona. (Information from March 1958 issue of Shipmate.)


Class of 1956

James is one of 26 members of the Class of 1956 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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