- Jeff Davis Woodson
Infobox Military Person
name = Jeff Davis Woodson
lived = birth date|1908|6|10 – death date and age|1942|6|4|1908|6|10
placeofbirth =Autman, Texas
placeofdeath = nearMidway Island
caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1926–1942
rank =Lieutenant, junior grade
branch =United States Navy
unit =USS Hornet (CV-8)
battles =World War II *Battle of Midway
awards =Navy Cross (posthumous)Jeff Davis Woodson was born in
Autman, Texas , on10 June 1908 .Navy career
"Woodson" enlisted in the
United States Navy on23 June 1926 atLittle Rock, Arkansas . Earning his first rating as afireman third class in four months, he served inUSS Aroostook (CM-3) and advanced to the rating of fireman second class on1 January 1929 . That summer, he transferred to an aviation squadron, VJ-1B, and began training as anaviation machinist's mate . In April 1929, he took a reduction in rank to enter the aviation field and became an aviation machinist's mate third class. However, after training at the Naval Air Station,San Diego, California , and pilot training at the Naval Air Station,Pensacola, Florida , he was advanced to the rating of aviation pilot first class. During the 1930's he served in various patrol and scouting squadrons and even served a tour of duty inUSS Lexington (CV-2) . By the late spring of 1937, "Woodson" had advanced to the rating of chief aviation machinist's mate. During 1940 and 1941, he served successively in VU-1, thedestroyer USS Benham (DD-397) , and at the naval air stations located atNorfolk, Virginia , and Pensacola. On2 September 1941 , he joined Torpedo Squadron 8 attached toUSS Hornet (CV-8) . For the next few months, he and his ship conducted training out of Norfolk. That routine continued after the attack onPearl Harbor on7 December .The Doolittle Raid
On
4 March 1942 , his ship put to sea and headed forSan Diego, California , where she arrived on the 20th. With his TBD stored below decks with the rest of the carrier's own aircraft complement, "Chief Woodson" departed theU.S. West Coast in Hornet on2 April with her deck loaded with 16U.S. Army B-25 bombers—the celebrated Halsey-Doolittle Tokyo raiders. Five days out to sea, "Chief Woodson" was temporarily promoted to the rank oflieutenant, junior grade . Six days after that, Hornet launched her extra flock for their raid against Tokyo and headed forOahu . A week later, he rode Hornet intoPearl Harbor .Battle of Midway
On
30 April , his carrier departed Pearl Harbor in an effort to joinUSS Yorktown (CV-5) and Lexington in theBattle of the Coral Sea . The naval air battle which stopped Japan's southward advance, however, ended before Hornet could arrive. She turned around and reentered Pearl Harbor on26 May . Unknown to "Lt. (jg.) Woodson" and his colleagues, an even greater struggle loomed on the immediate horizon. Two days later, Hornet returned to sea in company with Enterprise as the first contingent of the American force sent to stop Japan's attempt to captureMidway Island . Soon joined by battered, but quickly repaired Yorktown, the force lay in wait for an immense Japanese invasion fleet built around four of the six aircraft carriers that had struck Pearl Harbor the previous December.ighting of the Japanese carriers
After days of anxious waiting, patrol planes from Midway Island finally sighted the Japanese carriers early on the morning of
4 June . After more tense waiting, the decision was finally made to launch strikes against the enemy despite the rather hazy information regarding his position. Aircraft rose from all three carriers and many, including "Lt. (jg.) Woodson's" Torpedo Squadron 8, missed the rendezvous with their fighter cover. Pressing on in spite of the lack of escorts, Torpedo Squadron 8 made first contact with the enemy.Attacking the Japanese carriers
Disregarding overwhelming odds, inadequate defenses, and lack of fighter support, "Woodson" and his comrades gallantly pressed home their attacks. All Japanese fighters swooped in on the almost-defenseless
torpedo bombers and literally massacred them. "Lt. (jg.) Woodson" was killed in a valiant effort to sink one of the perpetrators of the Pearl Harbor attack. His sacrifice, though, was not in vain. Since all their fighter cover was down near the surface shooting up "Woodson" and his colleagues, the enemy carriers were sitting ducks when the American dive-bombers and fighters finally made contact. Three enemy carriers, Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu, rapidly sustained mortal injury and Hiryu received only brief respite due to her location far ahead of the other three. In due time, she, too, took fatal hits; and, with all four of their carriers gone, the Japanese were forced to retire and give up any idea of an assault on Midway Island.Awarded the Navy Cross
For his "extraordinary heroism and distinguished service beyond the call of duty . . ." and in recognition of the fact that his sacrifice ". . . was a determining factor in the defeat of the enemy forces . . .," Lt. (jg.) Woodson was awarded the
Navy Cross posthumously.Namesake
USS Woodson (DE-359) was laid down on 7 March 1944 atOrange, Texas , by theConsolidated Steel Corp., Ltd.; launched on29 April 1944 ; sponsored by Mrs. Joyce M. Woodson; and commissioned on24 August 1944 , Lt. Comdr. J. L. Foley in command.References
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w10/woodson.htm Jeff Davis Woodson]
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