Rufus Woody ’44

Rufus Woody ’44, 88, of Austin, Tex., died Sept. 3. He served in the European Theater in WWII flying photo P-38s. Three weeks prior to the invasion he photographed Omaha Beach at 50 feet using a nose camera. Later the engineers told him that the pictures allowed them to destroy landing craft obstacles, which probably saved thousands of American lives. He flew 69 combat missions, also being awarded two Silver Stars and 12 Air Medals. He retired as a colonel after 31 years in the Air Force. He and his wife, Martha, 2500 Toulouse, Austin, TX 78748-6081, married 63 years, had four children, Rufus III, Lou Kier, Andy, and Claire Loria, and nine grandchildren.