James B. Woods, Jr. was born on June 5, 1950. James was one of ten children. After his death, his youngest brother was named after him.
James attended New Milford High School. He loved old cars. James was the manager of the first McDonald’s in River Edge, NJ, in 1968.
Woods enlisted in the US Army in January 1969, from New Milford, NJ. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC). He served as the gunner on a two-man combat helicopter.
On August 26, 1969, while participating in a reconnaissance flight, Woods’ helicopter was shot at by ground fire. After being hit, Woods saw a smoke grenade ignite in the pilot’s compartment and despite his painful wounds he was able to grab and throw the grenade out of the helicopter, according to the citation awarding him the Air Medal for heroism. Additionally, he was awarded the Air Medal, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
James’ parents received a telegram within 24 hours of his being wounded. They received constant updates and were able to call Washington, DC to track their son’s progress. But as the days passed, Woods, Sr., was receiving differing information about his son’s progress. He decided he needed to go and see for himself, and contacted his congressman, who helped get his passport in order.
On September 15, 1969, Woods, Sr. took a TWA airplane, flying out of Kennedy airport to California, on the first leg of his journey to Vietnam. The flight cost $1200.00 and the airline lost his luggage, but he didn’t care. He would soon be with his son.
In Saigon, he learned that his son was being cared for in an evacuation hospital in
Da Nang, on the central eastern coast of Vietnam. Representatives from the Red Cross met Woods, Sr. in Saigon and helped him arrange for a small airplane to fly him to
Da Nang. He learned in flight that he was flying through the war zone.
After Woods, Sr. arrived in Da Nang, a colonel directed him to a sergeant, who gave him boots and military fatigues to wear. He was given a place in a “hootch” to sleep. Then it was time to see his son.
He quickly learned from the doctors that his son’s condition was not good. He couldn’t move. The bullet had severed the seventh vertebra in his spine and his breathing was assisted by a tracheotomy. After sitting by his son’s bedside for 10 days, James took a turn for the worse and required emergency surgery. He slipped into a coma from which he would never awake. On September 24, 1969, James Woods, Jr. died.
It was decided that Mr. Woods would accompany his son’s casket home. He would be traveling on a large military cargo aircraft. There was nothing in the back but his son’s and six other caskets.
James was buried in Pinelawn Veteran Cemetery in Long Island, NY.
In their hometown of New Milford, a street was named in his honor – James B. Woods, Jr. Place.
After James’ death, his mother who had never been politically active nor had ever voted, decided to start a movement dedicated to Peace on Earth Day. It would be celebrated on James’ birthday. Several states, including New Jersey, have now declared June 5 to be Peace on Earth Day, thanks to the tireless efforts of one bereaved mother.
Sources: James B. Woods, Sr. (father), Karen Darling (sister), James B. Woods, Jr. and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
