John G. Wood Oral History
Object NameRecording, Video
Transcript
Narrator
John G. Wood
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateMay 16, 2018
PeriodWorld War II
MediumMTS, PDF
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of John G. Wood. OHP.167
Object numberOHP.167
DescriptionJohn G. Wood served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) as a pilot with Bombing Squadron 8 (VB-8), during World War II, from October 1943 to December 1943. He flew the Douglas SBD Dauntless and the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. The Intrepid Museum recorded his oral history interview on May 16, 2018.See transcript for complete interview. Below is a summary:
Wood began his interview by discussing his early life in Valley City, North Dakota. He then explained why his family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and described his experience growing up in Minneapolis.
As the interview continued, Wood recalled when he learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then explained that he joined the Navy through the V-5 Program, discussed flight training, and stated why he decided to become a dive bomber pilot. After explaining his decision, Wood noted his time in Miami, dive bombing targets in the swamps and flying SBC Helldivers and BT Valiants. He then stated that he was assigned to Bombing 8 and recalled that, at this point, they were flying SBD-6s and SB2Cs.
The interview then shifted to Wood’s time on Intrepid. Wood noted VB-8’s assignment to Intrepid, recalled the squadron’s activity during the shakedown cruise, and described Intrepid’s collision in the Panama Canal. While discussing the collision, Wood described the repairs that were made to the ship and stated that the ship’s destination had changed from Honolulu to San Francisco Bay. He also noted that they were still flying at this time and that he was designated an assistant engineering officer. Wood then described an aircraft accident that occurred, explaining that he was on the flight deck grading the landing aircraft when an aircraft struck the ship during its landing, injuring three sailors, including Wood, and killing another. Wood recalled being carried down to sick bay. He lost four toes and the metatarsus, injuries that resulted in him leaving the ship when it arrived in San Francisco. He then noted his time in Vallejo, where he remained in sick officers’ quarters for six months, before he received orders back to duty. Wood explained that he was now A1L, which meant “Limited Duty to the United States,” so he could not go overseas. His new duty was to fly a four-star admiral around the country in a Lockheed Lodestar. Wood then noted that, in 1947, he received a letter from the Navy stating he was not qualified to stay in the regular Navy. Wood had to go before a retirement board and wait for the action of the board, which determined to retire him.
The interview then transitioned to life after the Navy. Wood returned to Minneapolis, earned a degree in business management from the University of Minnesota, and began working at an Air Force Base as a civilian. He explained that the Air Force opened nine primary schools in 1950. The flight departments and the academic departments were going to be all civilians. He spent nine years as a civilian with the Air Force, becoming a flight commander. He even recalled flying with astronauts; he flew with Buzz Aldrin and gave him an instrument flight check. Wood explained that he continued to fly for 70 years. He eventually became a building contractor.
The interview then shifted back to Wood’s time in flight training. Wood stated that he enjoyed all of his training and that his favorite plane was the SNJ Texan. He also explained how he obtained his job as a civilian with the Air Force, before he returned to the topic of flight training in the Navy. Wood recalled his first exposure to night flying, as well as instrument flying and carrier qualifications. He then noted the first time he saw Intrepid, explained how they formed a new squadron, and made a point to mention the importance of the lieutenants who were the division leaders. Wood also described the procedure for making a carrier landing and discussed the landing signal officer. He stated that the most dangerous place on the ship was on the bow, just after you landed and were brought up by the bow. Wood explained that pilots had to quickly get out of their aircraft after landing, as the next plane may have an accident behind them. He referenced the accident that caused him to lose his toes. Wood then described ready room briefings and recalled some of the flights he made when flying the admiral around the country.
Wood discussed a number of different flight-related topics as the interview continued. Wood recalled his experiences taking off from Intrepid during the shakedown cruise and described, in detail, how pilots approached and dove on a target, noting speeds, altitudes, and various other details. He then spoke about the SB2C, before briefly noting down time aboard ship. Wood also recounted flying the Cessna T-37 jet and provided some other memories of Buzz Aldrin.
As the interview came to an end, Wood stated what he hopes visitors will take away from their visit to Intrepid. He also noted that the squadron was a band of brothers, before discussing his time in sick bay and describing the crew and camaraderie aboard Intrepid. The interview then ended with Wood stating that he reveres the men who were lost, that he had a great life, and that it is important the Museum is preserving as much as it can from the past.
Extent: 7 media files, 17 page transcript
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