Beaufort’s Woody Oakley, 79, joined the U.S. Air Force upon graduation from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1966. After Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, Fla., he became a Weapons Control Officer (WCO), first serving in Blain, Wash., under the Air Defense Command.
His next assignment was in Vietnam, first at Dong Ha and later in the Central Highlands at Pleiku. There, as a WCO, he directed aircraft to targets or to intercept enemy aircraft, to control air-to-air refueling and to advise aircraft of potential risk of collision.
Following Vietnam he served as a WCO instructor at Tyndall AFB. His final active duty assignment was with Air Force recruiting in Denver, Colo., managing local recruiting offices throughout 12 states. He separated in 1971 as a Captain.
Thereafter, he worked in a variety of commercial enterprises before becoming the first sales representative at Dataw Island. He’s held other management positions in Beaufort real estate, been past president of the Sea Island Rotary and Mossy Oaks Elementary PTO, as well as serving with a host of local organizations. He is an officer of our AMVETS Post.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
