John Willie Woods Jr. head and shoulders smiling (courtesy of the Woods family). Submitted
On a spectacular spring morning, a large American flag, a much smaller one and faux flowers adorn John Willie Woods Juniorâs gravestone at Toussaint LâOuverture Cemetery in Franklin. More than half a century after his death in Vietnam, Mattie Lee Kinnard surely would be touched that her son is so well remembered.Â
Woods was only 19 when the helicopter he was aboard plunged into the jungle in a fiery explosion, killing him and three of his crewmates on Oct. 30, 1966. He was one of 342 American military deaths that month during the Vietnam War, one ofâ¯6,350 that year, one of 58,220 for the United States in the lengthy conflict.Â
Warrant Officer Malcolm Brown was 20 when he went to Vietnam in August 1969 to fly assault missions in a Huey helicopter. Most happened at night.
âOur adrenaline was up,â he recalled. âYouâd come back and your hands start shaking. And you say âOh I couldâve died tonight.â And you have a beer. And then youâd go do it tomorrow.â
He received 23 Air Medals, some with a V-device for valor, two Bronze Stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew a UH-1 Huey with the 114th Assault Helicopter Company in Vinh Long. His unit was under the 1st Aviation Brigade.
Belleville, MI - Yankee Air Museum will be flying its UH-1 Huey Greyhound helicopter on Saturday, May 29th and Hairless Joe, the C-47 troop transport on Sunday,
Helicopter rescue mission leads to lifelong friendships theredstonerocket.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theredstonerocket.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A group of North American T-6s cut through the air in a left echelon formation. “The whole reason for getting together in these clinics is so that we can hone our skills, do it professionally and improve ourselves,” Larry Lumpkin, 67, said. (Photo courtesy of Larry Lumpkin) Home/Arts and Entertainment/Look To The Sky This Weekend In Gainesville As Vintage World War II Aircraft Fly Formations
Look To The Sky This Weekend In Gainesville As Vintage World War II Aircraft Fly Formations
By Trey Ecker
April 7, 2021
For many people, flying is a means of transportation to get from point A to point B while seated uncomfortably alongside strangers encroaching on their personal space.