WOOD, Allan G.
(Age 95)

   Allan peacefully passed away on April 20 at the Spokane Veterans Home. He was born in North Bend, OR June 27, 1921 to Esther and George Wood. He later moved to Tacoma, WA where he was raised, and graduated from Stadium HS in 1939.
   As a 21-year-old paratrooper assigned to the 82nd Airborne, Wood’s first combat jump was into Nijmegen, Holland. 68 years later, on Veterans Day 2010 in Spokane, Allan would share a hospital room with Father Arnold Schoffelmeer who had been a seminary student in Nijmegen. Fr. Schoffelmeer saw the parachutes of the 82nd Airborne open and come down to save his city. Allan Wood was attached to one of those parachutes! Fr. Schoffelmeer recalled the joy of liberation and street celebrations. Together these two men uncovered a shared experience from decades ago that molded their lives. Wood received a Purple Heart from injuries in the Battle of the Bulge. Sixty- five years later he would be awarded the Bronze Star for valor in combat.
County, WA and, became the Corrections Coordinator for the State of Washington. In retirement, Wood had a counseling practice and helped to change the lives of offenders. For 17 years, he counseled mentally ill veterans at the American Lake Veterans Hospital in Tacoma.

   Allan graduated from Western Washington State College and received his Master’s Degree in psychology and sociology from PLU [Pacific Lutheran University] in Tacoma. He was the Chief Parole Officer for Snohomish
   Allan had a kind and gentle spirit and a great sense of humor. He loved life and was friendly with everyone he knew. He had two life mottos: “love your neighbor as yourself” and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” His Christian spirit was evident in everything he accomplished. Allan was an avid golfer, loved to fly his airplane, and ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Wood was active in the Inland NW Honor Flight, VFW Post 51, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge Association and the C-47 Club. He was a 50-year member of Kiwanis International and served as the Governor for the Pacific NW District of Kiwanis.
   Allan is survived by his wife Flo, daughters Judy (Jerry) Rach, Susan (Orville) Wood, and Rita (Don) Mercer, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at the Spokane Veterans Home for their excellent care and compassion for Allan. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Inland NW Honor Flight (608 W. 2nd Ave., Ste 309, 99201).
   A memorial service will be held in July at the Spokane Veterans Home.

[The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA, 23 Apr 2017, Sun, Page c8]

Grave marker for Allen G. Wood in Plot A-454-1&2, National Memorial Park, Falls Church (Fairfax county), Virginia.

Allen registered for the draft in Tacoma, WA on 16 February 1942 and was inducted into the Army, also at Tacoma, WA, on 13 November 1942.

On 25 November 1942 Pvt Wood was tranwsferred to Hq 3rd, 508th PIR and was reassigned to Company G that same day.

Sgt Wood was leading a small unit of 16 men who were part of G Company when he was hit with a piece of shrapnel from an exploding artillery shell.