Honoring a Hero: Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr.
Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr., an African American combat medic who displayed unwavering bravery during the D-Day invasion in northern France, will be posthumously honored in a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Woodson’s remarkable story is a testament to courage in the face of adversity.
In 1944, at the young age of 21, Woodson was an Army medic serving in the only African American combat unit that landed in Normandy on June 6. The journey was perilous from the start, as his landing craft was met with heavy fire, causing him to be wounded before reaching the beach. Despite his injuries, he tirelessly cared for over 200 wounded soldiers, enduring small arms and artillery fire for 30 grueling hours. It wasn’t until he collapsed from his injuries and blood loss that his incredible service paused.
Waverly B. Woodson Jr., originally from Philadelphia and residing in Maryland, passed away in 2005. In 1994, he recounted the harrowing events to The Associated Press, vividly describing the chaos. “The tide brought us in, and that’s when the 88s hit us,” he said, referring to the German 88mm guns. “They were murder. Of our 26 Navy personnel, there was only one left. They raked the whole top of the ship and killed all the crew. Then they started with the mortar shells.”
Woodson’s extraordinary valor earned him the Bronze Star, although he was in Hawaii preparing for the invasion of Japan when the award was finalized, resulting in minimal ceremony. Surprisingly, he was never granted a Combat Medic Badge, a recognition that eluded him until August when his former unit successfully applied for it.
In a poignant ceremony at Arlington, his widow, Joann, and son, Steve, will receive both the Bronze Star and the Combat Medic Badge. “He truly was a hero on Omaha Beach,” said Capt. Kevin Braafladt, the historian for First Army. Woodson served in the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a critical part of the First Army during the invasion.
During World War II, when racial segregation persisted in the U.S. military, approximately 2,000 African American troops participated in the Normandy invasion. Notably, the balloon battalion was the sole African American combat unit among them.
Woodson’s supporters have long championed his recognition with the Medal of Honor, given his pivotal role in the war’s turning point. While 1.2 million Black Americans served during World War II, none initially received the Medal of Honor, as an era of racism and segregation plagued the military. In 1997, following a comprehensive study, seven Black World War II troops were finally awarded the Medal of Honor.
Woodson’s case was part of this study, but his decoration case file had been lost, and his personnel records were destroyed in a 1973 fire at a military records facility. Despite these challenges, First Army and Capt. Braafladt remain determined to uncover the truth. They are confident that Woodson was recommended for the Medal of Honor during the war.
One critical piece of evidence in support of this theory is a memo stating that Woodson had been initially recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross, but a senior general insisted on the Medal of Honor instead. Capt. Braafladt, who began researching Woodson’s case in 2020, is just one document away from finding the answer and rectifying an injustice.
Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, has tirelessly championed Woodson’s cause since 2015, introducing legislation in Congress to secure the Medal of Honor for this heroic medic.
Steve Woodson, Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr.’s son, noted that his father seldom spoke of World War II until late in his life, sharing only fragments of his experiences. The family’s hope is that the Medal of Honor, if granted, will not only recognize his father’s heroism but also honor the contributions of Woodson’s unit and all Black troops. Regardless of the outcome, they are grateful for the recognition and honors that have come their way, determined to carry his legacy forward.