Woody sums it up, "For most of my life I've been in the world of humor. but flying in the Marines, we all had scary times (photo 3). After my combat flights I was asked to go to many hospitals in Japan to do comedy shows for our wounded. It was a jarring awakening. What a shock. Golly, they were mostly just kids. But they wanted jokes, fun, and piano music. The hours I spent with those shot-up guys will remain unforgettable as long as I live. The agonizing pain some kids underwent was brutal. The medics, corpsmen, and nurses were true heroes at those recovery centers. Those wounded, plus the medical geniuses who looked after them, played a deciding part in my returning to the world of laughter. Hurt or healthy, people need to laugh. I'm more than ever convinced it is really superb therapy."

Combat flight meant attention to every detail...such as double-checking ordnance.

VMF-115's flight line. That's Woody in 'Old No. 9'...outward bound one more time.. "Piece of cake?" See next: (3)Our

A later and happier time at the Reno Air Races with legendary U.S. Marine Ace  Gregory "Pappy" Boyington.

"Piece of cake?" Hardly! Woody was too close for comfort to Maj. Bernard's F9F when he took this anti-aircraft hit.