Woodroe H. Stokes.
Navigator · 329th Squadron · Of Greer, SC.
The man.
Among the first 93rd Bomb Group B-24 crews assigned to the 8th Air Force in England. Flew first combat mission Oct. 8, 1942. The 329th Sqdn. stayed in England for special bad weather missions while three other squadrons went to Egypt. Later sent to Libya for the low-level Ploesti raid and missions over Sicily and Italy. After completing his combat tour, was assigned as a division navigator at 2nd Air Division HQ.
Service record.
Before and after.
Born Jan. 15, 1917 in Greer, SC. Enlisted as aviation cadet Oct. 2, 1941. Basic training at Montgomery, AL; Turner Navigation School at Albany, GA; graduated and commissioned as second lieutenant, May 23, 1942. Assigned to 93rd Bomb Group (H) at Page Field, Ft. Myers, FL; assigned to B-24 crew, 329th Sqdn. Trained and flew submarine patrol in Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Group flew to Manchester, NH; then to Newfoundland, then to Scotland, then to Alconbury, England; then to Hardwick (permanent base).
After completing combat tour, assigned to 2nd Air Division as one of division navigators. February 1944, returned to U.S.; assigned to Officers Gunnery School at Ft. Myers, FL (being organized to train gunnery officers); school transferred to Laredo, TX in July. After V-E Day, went on inactive duty Aug. 5, 1945. Remained in reserves; retired May 1972 with rank of major. Received Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, two Battle Stars. Married; one son, one daughter, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild. Worked in schools (teaching and administration) from 1945 to 1979.