Title: W. Lewis Wood Oral History

Date/Date Range :   2002 August 3

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.

Call number: MS-2769

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

Collection was donated in 2006.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], W. Lewis Woods Oral History, MS-2769. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of one folder.

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.

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.

• World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narrative
• Veterans -- United States -- Interviews
• Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal Narrative
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville.