Lt. Jefferson Davis Woodson (191?-1942)

KIA, Midway, June 4, 1942
Awarded Navy Cross

Jeff Davis Woodson was born in Autman, Tex., on June 10, 1908. The oldest man in the unit next to Waldron, he enlisted in the United States Navy on 23 June 1926 at Little Rock, Arkansas. Earning his first rating as a Fireman Third Class in four months, he served on USS Aroostook (CM-3) and advanced to the rating of Fireman Second Class on January 1, 1929. In April of 1929, he took a reduction in rank to enter the aviation branch. He was then accepted into pilot training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, where he was advanced to the rate of Aviation Pilot First Class. He was quiet, easy going, and a good pilot. During the 1930's, he served in various patrol and scouting squadrons and a tour of duty on USS Lexington (CV-2). During 1940 and 1941, he served successively in VU-1, the destroyer USS Benham (DD-397), and at Naval Air Stations Norfolk and Pensacola. On September 2, 1941, he joined Torpedo Squadron 8. Five days out to sea, Chief Woodson was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.