[Sidney S. Woods oral history interview]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_198Parts2002-02-13-1139_AV_198_01SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeWoods, Sidney S.InterviewerValencia, Eugene A.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Sidney S. Woods, conducted by interviewer Eugene A. Valencia, January 9, 1965.

Text on label: "071. Sid Woods. Yuma, Jan 9, 1965. New Guinea. Europe - Hub's landing."AbstractFighter ace Sidney S. Woods is interviewed about his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time with the 9th Fighter Squadron in the Pacific Theater and with the 479th and 4th Fighter Groups in the European Theater. Topics discussed include his assignments in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and England; his experiences as a prisoner of war in Czechoslovakia and Germany; and stories about fellow servicemen.

The interview is conducted by fellow fighter ace Eugene A. Valencia.BiographySidney S. Woods was born on July 25, 1917 in San Marcus, Texas. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1939 with a U.S. Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) commission. In 1941, he transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps and completed his flight training in September of that year. Deployed to the Pacific Theater, Woods served in Australia and Papua New Guinea with the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group. In 1943, he returned to the United States, where he commanded an OTU (Operational Training Unit) for P-38 pilots. Woods returned to combat in 1944, this time serving in the European Theater with the 479th Fighter Group. He later was promoted to deputy commander of the 4th Fighter Group. In April 1945, Woods was shot down while strafing a German-controlled airfield in Prague. He spent approximately three weeks as a prisoner of war before being liberated by Allied troops.

Woods left military service after the end of World War II, but he later returned to active duty during the Korean War, serving as commander of a pilot training group at Williams Air Force Base (Arizona). He also led the Air Force’s jet aerobatic team, which would later become the Thunderbirds. Woods retired from the Air Force Reserves in 1960 at the rank of colonel. He passed way in 1989.Creation Date1965-01-09SubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryFighter pilotsPrisoners of warUnited States. Army Air ForcesUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 9thWoods, Sidney S.World War, 1939-1945PlaceAustraliaCzech RepublicEnglandGermanyPapua New GuineaExtent1 sound reel (1 hr., 45 min., 47 sec.) : analog ; 1/4 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)open reel audiotapesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyright

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[Sidney S. Woods oral history interview]