Paul Woodrow "Woody" Linkdskog

Paul Woodrow "Woody" Lindskog age 93 of Sarasota, formerly of Minneapolis, Minnesota, died on March 1, 2016. He was born in Minneapolis and spent his school-age years in St. Louis Park where he excelled in football as a lineman. His parents were John "Jack" and Mabel (Olson). His mother lived a long life, but his father died young, when Woody was seventeen years old. His father's early departure left a lasting mark on both his older brother John and him. Jack worked in the lumber industry and his death was attributed to tettanus (lockjaw). Woody entered the Navy in 1941, two weeks after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. He trained to become a naval aviator in Iowa City and Florida. He qualified in several aircraft and flew the Hellcat and Corsair. While on assignment near Wasile Bay off Halmahera Island in the South Pacific, his Hellcat was shot down and he was rescued by an Army Air Corps Catalina flying boat. The mission report filed said "September 16, 1944 - The rescued flier was in excellent condition. He was rescued after having been in the water only 30 minutes. Indications of shock were almost completely lacking. Evidently his strong condition, and the very effective cover that the Navy Fighter provided did much to dispel too much natural fear. The flier was disrobed immediately, dried thoroughly and provided with dry clothes, something to drink, and the usual abundance of comforts usually afforded a man snatched from the jaws of death. The whole crew, led by the surgical technicial, did the honors. The pilot had been flying an F-6-F Navy fighter. His name - Ensign Paul Woodrow Lindskog, VF-60, CUE 27." Only a month later he would participate in a large decisive battle for Leyte gulf. The Japanese armada was substantial and among the flotilla was the battleship Yamato, the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed. During the attack he performed a straffing run on the Yamato. After returning to his home base carrier ship, the Suwanee, the mechanics looked at the numerous bulletholes and determined that the aircraft was unrepairable and they pushed it off the ship into the water. During his Naval service Woody was awarded 3 commendations: Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Unit Citation and Air Medal. In 1949 he married Mary Elizabeth Lewis, a journalism teacher and instructor. They settled in Minneapolis where they raised their two sons, Eric and Jon. Mary had a successful career as a teacher of English and Journalism, and as Advisor to the high school paper and literary magazine. She completed her career as the Director of Publications and Public Relations for School District 281, located in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN. Woody was a consumate salesman. He worked most of his career as a Manufacturer's Representative, specializing in the automotive and home improvement industries. He was also a jokester who seeded laughter and smiles in many settings. His hobbies included fishing and hunting and over the years owned boats, snowmobiles, airplanes, motorcycles and ATVs giving both his sons experiences few could rival. Throughout his life he spent a lot of time at his cabin on the Whitefish lake chain in the Brainerd area. Woody is survived by, son Eric (Susan) of Rochester, Minnesota, son Jon (Nancy) of Seattle, WA, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Woody will be missed by many. A service with military honors was held at 3:00 P.M. Monday, March 7, 2016 at Sarasota National Cemetery.

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Paul Woodrow "Woody" Linkdskog

July 27, 1923 - March 1, 2016