2nd Lt Woodson W. Woodward
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron
Pilot P-38 Lightning Missing In Action (MIA) October 24, 1943

Background
Woodson W. Woodward was born in Virginia. Nicknamed "Woody". Prewar, he lived in Baltimore County, Maryland and graduated high school and worked as a semiskilled worker as a welder and was divorced without children.

Wartime History
On April 9, 1942 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as an aviation cadet with serial number 13020198 at Langley Field, VA.

During late October 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights" as fighter pilot. Roughly a week later he went missing.

Mission History
On October 24, 1943 took off piloted P-38 Lightning as part of "Red Flight" as wingman for flight leader Captain Richard I. Bong plus element leader 1st Lt. Norman D. Hyland and element wingman Milliff on an escort mission for B-25 Mitchells over Rabaul. Approaching from the southeast over the Warangoi River to the northwest towards Tobera Airfield.

Over the target, Bong and Woodward spotted enemy aircraft below, released their drop tanks and intercept the Zeros but failed to score any hits. Afterwards, the Zeros turned into the P-38s and caused "Red Flight" to separate. Only Bong and Milliff reformed to escort the B-25s, while Hyland joined a dogfight north of Tobera Airfield. Woodward never rejoined formation and was never seen again. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

In fact, this P-38 likely became separated or was damaged and air combat and flew back alone but crashed into the Solomon Sea before reaching the north coast of New Guinea. At 5:48pm, USS Hilo (AGP-2) anchored off Buna observed a P-38 that crashed into the Solomon Sea roughly five miles away.

Search
After observing the P-38 crash, USS Hilo (AGP-2) deployed PT Boats to the crash area and found small pieces of wreckage but no sign of the pilot.

Memorials
Woodward was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Woodson W. Woodward
NARA War Diary of PT Boat Tender USS Hilo - October 24, 1943 17:48 anchored off Buna
"P-38 fighter seen to crash into the sea distant about five miles.  Dispersed MTBs immediately proceeded to the area, and recovered small items of wreckage; no sign of the pilot."
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Woodson W. Woodward
FindAGrave - 2Lt Woodson W Woodward (tablets of the missing photos)
Protect & Avenge - The 49th Fighter Group in WWII (1995) page 206 (map), 207-208, 122 (map), 360 (index)
Page 208: " The intelligence people confirmed that 2Lt. Woodward had last been reported east of Buna low over the water in his badly shot-up Lockheed. That night in the Flying Knights bar as the liquor dulled the pain of the day's events, hardly anyone could recall the missing man's face. Woodson 'Woody' Woodward had only been on the flight roster a week."
49th Fighter Group Aces of the Pacific (2004) page 79
"Attacking at low level, the Lightning pilots soon became separated from the [B-25] bombers when Japanese fighters appeared on the scene. Some six enemy aircraft were shot down, with Lt. John O'Neil becoming the day's high scorer – his two Zekes gave him ace status. Bong was having an off day, however, for he fired at three Zekes but failed to score any telling hits. Strafing three luggers provided scant compensation for the loss of his wingman."
Target: Rabaul (2013) pages 166-167
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional research and analysis

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