Mars WWII hero honored
ADAMS TWP — Jack Riggio felt that Carl J. Woods Jr., a Tuskegee Airman from Mars who was killed in World War II, was a hero who deserved more recognition within his community.
That’s why Riggio made it his mission to get a memorial for Woods built in the Mars community as part of the service portion of his Eagle Scout project.
Mars Boy Scout Troop 400 held a ceremony Saturday to unveil a plaque honoring Woods outside Mars Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7505.
Woods was born in March 1923 in Mars. His parents were employed at Trees Farms and lived in a house on the property. Woods attended Mars Area High School from 1938 to 1941, where he played football.
Woods registered for the draft after two years of school at Penn State, and reported to Keesler Field in Mississippi for training. He joined the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of mostly African-American military pilots who fought in WWII. Woods was then deployed to Italy.
Woods was last seen on Oct. 7, 1944, during a mission escorting bombers to an oil refinery in Vienna, Austria. He was reported missing on the way to the target area, and was ultimately declared dead.
Riggio said with Mars being a community that always supports its veterans, it’s important to make sure more people know about Woods.
“To me, it was such a big deal because I feel like Carl is very forgotten in the community.” Riggio said. “I feel like somebody like Carl should always be remembered. Our community loves our veterans, like we have the memorial in Adams Park. He was more than just a war hero, he was a trailblazer.”
The plaque, located on the VFW post’s land next to the baseball field, reads “Carl J. Woods, Jr. Tuskegee Airman, Pioneer, Patriot.”
The ceremony was led by Riggio’s dad, Mark. Guest speakers included state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th, Butler County Commissioner Kim Geyer and Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung.
“Despite facing segregation and discrimination, these men served with unparalleled skill and bravery, earning the respect of their peers and changing the course of history. Their courage in the sky and on the ground is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and the American way,” Scialabba told those gathered.
Geyer said people in the community are aware of the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, but do not necessarily know there was a member from the Mars area.
Geyer said her grandfather also worked for Joe Trees, owner of Trees Farms, in the 1930s, and probably worked with the Woods family frequently.
“I think it’s pretty fascinating that you can grow up in a community and not be aware that somebody has had the impact that Carl Woods had,” Geyer said. “I appreciate you honoring him and providing this legacy to our community.”
With the new plaque, Riggio is glad Mars residents can learn and remember Woods’ importance as a Tuskegee Airman.
“It’s so powerful to me to see there’s now something there so he won’t be forgotten, and anybody that now walks by will get to read that,” Riggio said.
