Lake County IL Archives Obituaries.....Wood Jr., Paul W. June 29, 1944 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Kathy Stinson findingthepast@comcast.net February 4, 2014, 6:43 pm Independent Register Libertyville - July 5, 1945 WAR DEPT. LISTS LT. PAUL WOOD AS "DEAD" A letter was received Monday by Capt. and Mrs. Paul W. Wood, Libertyville, from Maj. Gen. J.A. Ulio, stating that the War department has registered their son, Lt. Paul W. Wood, Jr., 22, as presumably "dead". He had been missing since June 29, 1944, after a raid over Germany. He was on his way to Berlin with a bombing squadron when his engine developed trouble over Geissen, Germany. He radioed his nearest plane was returning to England. That was the last heard from him. The letter from Maj. Gen Oilo reads in part: "The record concerning your son shows that he was pilot and sole occupant of a P-51 (Mustang) fighter plane which took part in a mission to Germany on June 29, 1944 and failed to return to his base. In view of the fact that 12 months have now elapsed without the receipt of evidence to support a continued presumption of survival, the War department must terminate such absence by a presumptive finding of death. I hope you may find sustaining comfort in the thought that the uncertainty with which was has surrounded the absence of your son has enhanced the honor of his service to his Country and of his sacrifice." Lt. Wood received his wings and commission in Moultrie, Ga., in October 1943 and was sent overseas in January 1944. He served on operational missions five months. An air medal awarded him was delivered to his parents by his roommate. He had also been awarded several clusters at the 9th air base. He graduated from Libertyville Township High school in 1940 and attended the University of Illinois two years, studying engineering. He was a member of the Triangle fraternity. His father served 14 months in Washington with the CAAAC, having enlisted soon after his son. He is now on the inactive list. The survivors of Lt. Wood are his parents, three sisters, Anna Lee, Marilyn and Virginia, and a brother, Richard, all of Libertyville. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, July 15 at the Presbyterian church by the Rev. Glenn Garber. The service will start at 3 o'clock. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/lake/obits/w/woodjr574ob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ilfiles/ File size: 2.7 Kb