Waverly Woodson, medic with the only African-American combat unit that fought on D-Day, in spite of injuries he suffered when a German shell destroyed his landing craft, set up an aid station and for 30 hours treated over 200 wounded soldiers. He saved 4 men from drowning, administering CPR. Eisenhower praised Woodson and his unit, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, as “an important element of the air defense team.” Even though his superior officer recommended Woodson for the Medal of Honor, neither he nor any of the million-plus Black soldiers who served in the conflict received that distinction. (Photo courtesy of the Woodson family)
Waverly Woodson, Hero
