North
High School Wall of Honor Stephen Dale Woodyard Class of June, 1964 |
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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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. 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. |
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Lived in Altoona, IA. Died 06/10/2014. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Music: "Wind Beneath My Wings" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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