Waverly B. Woodson Jr. (1922—2005)

United States Army soldier[34]

What is Waverly B. Woodson Jr. (1922—2005) known for?

Born on August 3, 1922, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Waverly B. Woodson Jr. is a notable figure to emerge from Overbrook High School. After his high school education, he proceeded to pursue a pre-med program at Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania.

Woodson's life took a significant turn during World War II, when he decided to pause his studies and enlist in the United States Army on December 15, 1942. Initially, he joined the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Officer Candidate School but was later redirected to a combat medic role based on his race. Subsequently, Woodson was assigned to the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, experiencing segregation and discrimination during his training at the United States' barrage balloon training center in Paris, Tennessee.

His military involvement was marked with extraordinary bravery, particularly during the Battle of Normandy, where he served as a corporal part of the First United States Army. Beyond his military service, Woodson has been recognized with multiple awards, including the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead device and two Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Purple Heart, the United Nations Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

After a decade of military service from 1942 to 1952, Woodson passed away on August 12, 2005, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a testament to his distinguished service.