textwoodyardstephendale1964.html

North High School Wall of Honor
Stephen Dale Woodyard
Class of June, 1964

Research done by Claradell Shedd, class of 1953.

Stephen Dale Woodyard

Stephen Dale Woodyard graduated from North High in the June, 1964 class. His next of kin was shown as Mr. Billy Marvin Woodyard, 3916 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA

Stephen Dale Woodyard

Year	x	Rank/Event	x	Status

June, 1964	x	Graduated	x	North High School, Des Moines, IA
one year	x	Education	x	Southwest Missouri State, Springfield, MO
July 25, 1966	x	US Air Force	x	US Air Force; 19 months in Vietnam. 0-1 Birddog Aircraft in Vietnam (for Forward Air Control).
1966-1970	x	US Air Force	x	1151st USAF Sp Acty Sq (NQCOMD). 7th Air Force Command and 14th Air Force Command
July 24, 1970	x	US Air Force/ Sergeant	x	Discharged. Mustered out at Ent AFB, Colorado Springs, CO
July 24, 1972	x	US Air Force	x	Discharged from US Air Force Reserve
July 4, 1975	x	Family	x	Married to Suzanne Seitz.
1975-1999	x	Employment	x	John Deere
1999-2006	x	Employment	x	Principal Financial Security
2006-2014	x	Employment	x	Sharpening By Woody home business
June 10, 2014	x	Deceased	x	Retired and living in Altoona, IA
aft Jun 10, 2014	x	Buried	x	Iowa Veterans Cemetery; Van Meter, IA. Find-A-Grave Memorial #131290419

0-1 Birddog Aircraft in Vietnam:
In 1962, the Army L-19 and Marine Corps OE-1 was redesignated the O-1 (Observation) Bird Dog and entered the war in Vietnam. During the early 1960s, the Bird Dog was flown by South Vietnamese (ARVN-Army Republic Vietnam/SVAF South Vietnamese Air Force), U.S. Army, and U.S. Marines in South Vietnam and later by clandestine forward air controllers (e.g., Ravens) in Laos and Cambodia. Because of its short takeoff and landing (STOL) and low altitude/low airspeed capabilities, the O-1 also later found its way into U.S. Air Force service as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) aircraft for vectoring faster fighter and attack aircraft and supporting combat search-and-rescue operations recovering downed aircrews.

During the Vietnam War, the Bird Dog was used primarily for reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery adjustment, radio relay, convoy escort and the forward air control of tactical aircraft, to include bombers operating in a tactical role.

Ent Air Force Base; Colorado Springs, CO (1151st USAF Special Activities Squadron (HQCOMD)
The Ent Air Force Base was an Air Force base located in the Knob Hill neighborhood of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A tent city, established in 1943 to build the base, was initially commanded by Major General Uzal Girard Ent (1900-1948) for whom the base is named. The base was opened in 1951. From 1957 to 1963, the base was the site of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which moved to the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station.

Obituary:
Stephen D. Woodyard, 68, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Steve fought a courageous 4 year battle with Sarcoma Cancer from exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

Steve was born January 28, 1946, to Billy Marvin Woodyard and Lucille (Knapp) Woodyard in Des Moines, IA. He graduated from North High School in 1964. He was a member of the Air Force (1966-1970) serving his country for 19 months in Vietnam during the war.

On July 4, 1975, he was united in marriage to Suzanne (Seitz) Woodyard. They made their home in Altoona where they raised 4 wonderful children. He and his wife enjoyed spending time at their lake home they built; boating, fishing, hunting, camping, and visiting with friends, family, and their Golden Retriever Molly.

In 1999, he retired his supervisor position from John Deere after 34 years of service. During this time he also served as a part-time Altoona police officer, coached all 3 daughters in softball, served on the board for Altoona Balloonafest, was a member of Home Lodge #370, and a Shriner. He then retired from Principal Financial Security after 7 years of service. After retiring from Principal, he started his own business, "Sharpening by Woody."

Steve is survived by his wife Suzanne; his children, Lori (Roger) Short, Lindy (Randy) Leonard, Lance (Tammy) Street, and Stephanie (Chuck) Folsom; 16 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren with 1 on the way; his mother, Lucille; 5 siblings, Dave, Mike, Jim, Bill Woodyard and Becki Hopewell; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many friends.

March 5, 1969: Steve Woodyard in Vietnam


Vietnam	Vietnam


Worked at John Deere and Principal Financial	Civilian Life

Steve Woodyard being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal

	Stephen Dale Woodyard Sergeant 1151st Special Activities Squadron Detachment US Air Force
Air Force Good Conduct, Vietnamese Service W/1 bronze Service Star, Air Force Commendation, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal

References
	The comprehensive list of names from North High's 1893-2018 graduation classes are from Claradell Shedd's North Des Moines High School website. The names of all North High School graduates can be found online at http://www.ndmhs.com/. Stephen Dale Woodyard's class page can be viewed at http://www.ndmhs.com/pages/yearclass1964(2014.50).html

Lived in Altoona, IA. Died 06/10/2014.

Music: "Wind Beneath My Wings"