Rodney J. Wood

Rodney J. Wood was born January 6, 1922 in Gridley, California and joined the Air Force August 20, 1942. He trained at Santa Ana, 29 Palms, Lancaster, Douglas, Arizona; Hobbs Army Air Field (AAF), New Mexico; and Williams AFB, Arizona. He served with the 21st Fighter Bomber Wing, 531st Fighter Bomber Squadron. He flew 35 sorties in a B-17, 183 during the Berlin Airlift, 50 in Korea, and 145 missions In Vietnam.
Wood achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was discharged September 1, 1972. While with USAF he flew the following major aircraft: B 17, P-51, T-33, T-39, F-86F, F-100, AC-47, AT-6, T-28, B-25, B-26, C 54, and C-118. As a civilian he flew the 690 Commander, MU-2, Kingair 200, and Citation 501/SP. He describes his most memorable moment as "flying the best aircraft, the F-86."
Decorations include:
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star
- Air Medals with one silver and five bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC)
- Air Force Commendation Medal with one bronze OLC
- American Defense Service Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal
- European/African/Middle Eastern Medal with two bronze stars
- World War II (WWII) Victory Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal, with Berlin Airlift aircraft and Germany and Japan devices
- Medal for Humane Action (Berlin Airlift)
- National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
- Korean Service Medal with one silver and one bronze star
- Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with "69" clasp
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star
- Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and four bronze OLCs
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal
- United Nations Service Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze OLCs
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device for valor
After building and operating the Nevada Airline, with five DC-3s and four Beech 18s, Wood became Executive Pilot tor Circus-Circus owner Jay Sarno and the Las Vegas Hilton. He restored and flew an AT-6 and a Stearman and then he retired.
LtCol Rodney J. Wood died July 27, 2005 in Las Vegas, NV.