W. Lewis Wood Oral History
This folder contains the transcript of an interview with W. Lewis Wood, dated 3 August 2002, conducted in Memphis, Tenn., by Kurt Piehler and Nashwa Van Houts of the Veteran's Oral History Project. Wood discusses his childhood in Memphis, his experiences as an engineering student at the University of Tennessee, and his time serving in the US Navy and Army during World War II and the Korean War, respectively. Woods' account of his experiences during the Korean War, B Company Tonight you Die, can by found in MS.2112.
Dates
- 2002 August 3
Conditions Governing Access
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Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
This folder contains the transcript of an interview with W. Lewis Wood, dated 3 August 2002, conducted in Memphis, Tenn., by Kurt Piehler and Nashwa Van Houts of the Veteran's Oral History Project. Wood discusses his childhood in Memphis, his experiences as an engineering student at the University of Tennessee, and his time serving in the US Navy and Army during World War II and the Korean War, respectively.
Biographical/Historical Note
W. Lewis Wood was born in Starkville, Miss., on November 15, 1925. Shortly after his birth, Wood's father moved his wife, young son, and daughter to Memphis, Tenn., where he worked at the Royal Staff of Life Feed Mill. Wood spent his childhood in Memphis where he attended both primary and secondary school before moving to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee. He studied electrical engineering for a year before he was drafted into World War II. As a Seaman 1st class in the United States' Navy, Wood was trained in aviation electronics; however, he was never sent overseas.
After being discharged from the army, Wood married and moved back to Knoxville to complete his engineering degree. He graduated in 1949 and found himself, once again, back in the military. This time, as an officer in the army, he was shipped overseas where he served as 1st Lieutenant of Company B in the 179th infantry in the Korean War. In his memoirs, "B Company Tonight you Die, Wood" recounts his experiences in Korea. After the war, Wood moved back to Memphis where he eventually became Senior Vice President of Allan and Hashall, Inc. Wood also served as chairman of the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee of the National Society of Professional Engineers; in 1999, he was awarded the prestigious Award of Merit by the Private Practice division of the National Society of Professional Engineers. Wood died on September 14th, 2016 and is buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.
Arrangement
Collection consists of one folder.
Acquisition Note
Collection was donated in 2006.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository