[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S8117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO LT. COL. JOHN D. WOODWARD USAF-RET

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to 
pay tribute to Lt. Col. John D. Woodward USAF-Ret, of Manchester, NH, 
who passed away on July 8, 2001.
  John was born in Pembroke, NH, and served with honor and distinction 
in the United States military. He began his military career with the 
United States Army in Panama and later served with the Coast Artillery, 
Infantry and Field Artillery. In 1942, John transferred to the Army Air 
Corps where he was commissioned a second lieutenant serving with the 
Army Air Force units throughout the South Pacific.
  John was one of the founding members of Detachment B, 201st Air 
Service Group which was accorded Federal recognition at Grenier Field 
in Manchester, NH, as the original New Hampshire Air National Guard. He 
also served in the Korean Conflict with United States Air Force units 
in Greenland and Newfoundland.
  Promoted to the rank of Lt. Col. in 1957, John became Deputy 
Commander for Materiel for the 157th Military Airlift Group, MAC, in 
1966, and served in that capacity when the unit became the 157th 
Tactical Airlift Group. He was later appointed commander of the 157th 
Combat Support Squadron in 1975 when the Group became a unit of the 
Strategic Air Command.
  John earned many medals and awards for his dedicated military service 
including: the Bronze Star, the American Defense Medal, the Good 
Conduct Medal, the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater 
Medal with two battle stars, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the 
New Hampshire Air National Guard Medal. As a Vietnam veteran and senior 
member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I commend John for his 
contributions to the people of New Hampshire and the country.
  John was an active supporter of his local community who contributed 
as a member of organizations including: Sons of the American 
Revolution, the American Legion, Sons of the Union Veterans and as a 
Master Mason with Washington Lodge #61 of New Hampshire. He was a 
lifelong die-hard supporter of the Boston Red Sox and an enthusiastic 
golfer.
  John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty; his daughters: Linda 
Woodward and Debra Woodward and his son, John D. Woodward II. He is 
also survived by a granddaughter, Megan Woods and two sisters: Esther 
Perron and Lillian Lesmerises.
  John served his country and State with pride and dignity. I applaud 
him for his exemplary contributions to the United States military and 
New Hampshire. He will be sadly missed by all those whose lives he 
touched. It is truly an honor and a privilege to have represented him 
in the U.S. Senate.

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