Pendleton Woods

Pendleton "Pen" Woods is a native of Fort Smith, Ark., who served as a private in a rifle company in the 99th Infantry Division during World War II. Captured when surrounded while on a reconnaissance patrol behind enemy lines, he spent five months in German prison camps. Following the war, and with a degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas, he moved to Oklahoma City and joined the 45th Infantry Division.

In the Korean War, he was the 45th Division public information officer and the youngest member of the division staff. In this capacity, he inaugurated the first weekly radio program and the first weekly television program ever produced by an Army division and was responsible for the only newspaper produced and printed entirely on the Korean peninsula. He remained in the Guard in various positions until retirement as a colonel in 1983 with 41 years service.

Woods devotes a great deal of effort to programs serving youth and veterans. He has served the Boy Scouts for 66 years, including 16 years as a Scoutmaster and received the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to Boyhood. He has conducted youth leadership forums and seminars in connection with the American Citizenship Center of Oklahoma Christian University and the Military Order of the World Wars in several states. He has given nearly 5,000 hours of volunteer service to the Veterans Administration Hospital.

The Oklahoma City chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars has been renamed the Colonel Pendleton Woods Chapter in his honor.