Pat’s gravestone is upright and features an engraving on the back, that reads: Pat, your constant smile and helpful ways will linger on throughout our days. He was called a star athlete in football and wrestling. He served in the Peace Corps after he graduated from college. Date of birth: 28 May 1941 Date of casualty: 24 December 1968 Home of record: Oregon City, Oregon Branch and Rank: Army, First Lieutenant, Infantry Unit Commander Unit: 9th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, D Company Awards: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart Location of name on the Vietnam Wall: 36W, 75
Location of service: South Vietnam, Long An province Died through hostile action - explosive device.
Schools Attended: Oregon City High School, Linfield College, Multnomah Junior College, Pacific University Burial location: St. Johns Cemetery, Oregon City, Oregon Memorials: Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, DC), Oregon Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Portland), Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Portland), Oregon City High School Memorial Garden
The Oregonian, Wednesday, January 1, 1969 State Officer Dies In War OREGON CITY (Special) – 1st Lt. Patrick L. Woods, 27, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Woods, Rt. 1, Box 125-B, was killed Dec. 24 while engaged in military conflict in Vietnam. A member of 9th Infantry, D Company, 1st Lt. Woods was killed when hit by fragments from an exploding booby trap. Woods was graduated from Oregon City High School in 1959, the same year he was named most valuable lineman in the Shriner’s football competition. He attended Linfield College, Multnomah Junior College and Pacific University, where he was graduated in 1964 with a bachelor of science degree in education. Following his graduation he served three years with the Peace Corps in Indonesia and Thailand. He is survived by his parents, two brothers and five sisters. Funeral services are pending.
The Oregonian, Friday, January 3, 1969 War Victim Rite Slated Funeral for Lt. Patrick L. Woods, killed by a land mine explosion in Vietnam Dec. 24, will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, at St. John The Apostle Church in Oregon City. Rosary will be said at the Hillside Chapel in Oregon City Friday at 7:30 p.m. Lt. Woods, 27, was a native of Portland. He was a 1959 graduate of Oregon City High School, where he was a star athlete in football and wrestling. He was a Shrine All-Star gridder, and named Metro’s most valuable lineman in 1959. He was a star athlete at Pacific University, a president of Gamma Sigma social fraternity at PU and a member of the college’s Blue Key social fraternity. After 1964 graduation from Pacific University, he joined the Peace Corps and served in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Bangkok, Thailand. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1966, and before being assigned to duty in Vietnam, was athletic coordinator at a U.S. Army school at Ft. Belvoir, Va. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Woods, Oregon City; five sisters, Mrs. Joseph Mauro, San Francisco, Calif.; Mrs. Tom Rutherford, Beavercreek, and Theresa, Toni and Mary Catherine Woods, Oregon City, and two brothers, Mike and Chris Woods, Oregon City. The family requests that any remembrances be in the form of contributions to the Pat Woods Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of the Hillside Chapel in Oregon City.
Remembering a friend I remember Pat as a friend to everyone. He always had a smile and a good word. A great athlete in High School and was ready to help a friend in need. After all these years, I still miss you. Walk with God.