Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1958 Lucky Bag:

JAMES ALLEN WOOD

Forsaking the gay collegiate life at Purdue, Woodie arrived in Annapolis with slide rule broken in and a certificate of confirmed bachelorhood. Not getting a big enough kick out of foiling the academic departments in their attempts to ambush him, he exercised by making the Plebe swimming team and, in later years, by joining the rowing brotherhood at Hubbard Hall. He even broke down once in awhile, amazing all his friends by dragging a young lady. Woodie is one of the many who wants to fly for Navy; we wish him the best of luck always.

Loss

James was lost on September 12, 1960 when the AD-5 Skyraider he was piloting went missing and presumably crashed off the coast of northern California. He was flying from Moffett Field and “was last heard from” at about 10 p.m.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

In July, 1954, James was a sophomore at Purdue University who received an appointment to the Naval Academy through his record in the Naval ROTC. He entered the Naval ROTC unit as a contract student and qualified as a regular N-ROTC midshipman.

A memorial service was held for him on September 25th on the lawn of his parents’ home. Commander Tillman Morgan and members of the Naval Reserve unit participated in the service as did Ltjg Charles Oleson ‘58. He had been with James at Annapolis and was with him through flight training. Both had been assigned to the Pacific Fleet last May, and both flew AD-6 Skyraiders at Moffett Field. Also present were his sister, her family, a brother Merritt Jr., and his wife. His father’s name was Merritt.

Shipmates of James have dedicated a seat at the Memorial Stadium in his memory.

He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.

Photographs

From The Madison County Record on February 18, 1960

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Paul Klinedinst ‘58 and Keith Rasmussen ‘58 were also members of 24th Company.