Jack Weston Wood
MilitaryIWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Born in Fairbault, Minn., in 1907, we won his wings by 1929. He rose swiftly through the ranks achieving the rank of Colonel and took command of the 20th Combat Bomb Wing of the Eighth Air Force. The following November he was named executive of the 14th Combat Bomb Wing, and in December 1944 was promoted to brigadier general and appointed chief of the British-American Air Component, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces Mission to France.
Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator #42-40629.
After a career in the Air Force, he retired with the rank of Major General. He died in 1995.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-666292
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-683714
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 44th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron 66th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-385447
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot; Commanding Officer
Aircraft
Missions
Places
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Faribault, Minnesota, U.S.A. | 2 January 1907 | |
Enlisted |
24 February 1928 | Appointed flying cadet. | |
Other Ploesti Raid Briefing |
31 July 1943 | "During one of the rehearsal briefings, 389th commanding officer Colonel Jack Wood enjoined the men that after completing the bomb run, 'It's every man for himself! Hit the deck! Forget formation flying! Get the hell out of there! And no nurse-maiding,' or assisting a damaged plane in the group." Dan Masters, "Dragged Through the Mouth of Hell: Toledo's Contribution to Operation Tidal Wave, August 1, 1943," Northwest Ohio History Journal, Vol. 84, No. 1 (October 6, 2016). | |
Died |
Orange County, California, USA | 18 July 1994 | |
Other Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal Air Medal with oak leaf cluster Commendation Ribbon American Campaign Medal Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Honorary Commander Croix de Guerre with Palm Legion of Honor (French) National Defense Service Medal Air Force Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters | ||
Buried |
Hillside Memorial Park, Redlands, San Bernardino County, California, USA |
Revisions
Dan Masters, "Dragged Through the Mouth of Hell: Toledo's Contribution to Operation Tidal Wave, August 1, 1943," Northwest Ohio History Journal, Vol. 84, No. 1 (October 6, 2016).
U.S. Air Force site > Major General Jack Weston Wood; Find a Grave site > MG Jack Weston Wood.
389th BG August 1, 1943 Crews and Aircraft. Philip Ardery, Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II (Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky: 1978) 99.
Philip Ardery, Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II (Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky: 1978) 99. 389th BG August 1, 1943 Crews and Aircraft.
14th Combat Bombardment Wing (H) by William B. Taylor / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia