August 28, 2009

Gov. Nixon orders flags to half-staff in honor of fallen soldier from Franklin County

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered that the U.S. and Missouri flags on all state buildings in Franklin County be flown at half-staff from Aug. 29 to Sept. 4 to honor the bravery and sacrifice of Sgt. 1st Class William Brian Woods Jr., age 31, of Catawissa. Sgt. 1st Class Woods was a soldier in the United States Army who died on Aug. 16 while serving his country in Ghazni, Afghanistan.

In addition, Gov. Nixon has ordered that the U.S. and Missouri flags at state buildings in all 114 counties and the city of St. Louis be flown at half-staff for one full day on Saturday, Aug. 29, the day of Sgt. 1st Class Woods' funeral.

Sgt. 1st Class Woods was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, Special Forces Group (Airborne), stationed out of Glen Arm, Md. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with Bronze Star, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal "M" Device, the Maryland State Service Medial, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal (Navy), the Parachutist Badge (Basic), the Weapons Qualification Badge Bar, Weapon: Rifle Expert, the Special Forces Tab and the NATO Medal.