Elwood T. Driver | |
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| Nickname(s) | Woody |
| Born | (1921-08-20)August 20, 1921 Trenton, New Jersey U.S. |
| Died | March 26, 1992(1992-03-26) (aged 70) Reston, Virginia, USA |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | |
| Years of service | 1942-1962 |
| Rank | Flight Commander |
| Unit | Tuskegee Army Air Field |
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| Alma mater |
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| Spouse(s) | Shirley Martin |
| Children | 1 |
Elwood "Woody" T. Driver (August 20, 1921 – March 26, 1992) was an American aviator who served as aTuskegee Airman duringWorld War II. He flew 123 missions and he is given credit for one confirmed kill. In 1978President Jimmy Carter nominated Driver to be a member of theNational Transportation Safety Board.
Elwood Driver was born inTrenton, New Jersey. He had three siblings. While attendingTrenton State College, he earned his pilot's license.[1] He graduated from college in 1942.[2] Later he attendedNew York University and earned anMS in safety engineering.[3]
Driver married Shirley Martin in 1960. He had one son, Timothy, from a previous marriage.[2]
Driver signed up for theArmy Air Corps in 1942. Hebecame a Tuskegee Airman and was sent to theEuropean Theatre where he recorded an aerial combat kill overAnzio, Italy. He retired from the Air force as a Major in 1962.[2]
Driver worked with theNational Transportation Safety Board beginning in 1967.[2] In 1978, he was nominated to be a member of the Safety Board and served from 1978 to 1980.[5]
Driver held a board of director position atHoward University.[3]
In 2006, aCongressional Gold Medal was awarded to Tuskegee Airmen, including Driver.[6]
On May 26, 1992, Driver died at his home inReston, Virginia from liver cancer.[2]
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