Major Margaret "Peg" Wood Brandon, USAF (RET.)

COLUMBIA - Major Margaret "Peg," Smith Wood Brandon, RN/FN USAF retired, earned her second set of wings on September 5, 2022. Peg was born October 19, 1928 to Mary (Mame) and Royal Smith, in Canton, Montana.

To say Peg lived an amazing life, is an understatement! She graduated from St. Patrick School of Nursing in Missoula, Montana in 1949 -- and never looked back.

She joined the Air Force in January 1951 and retired in October 1971. Upon entering the Air Force as an R.N. she took additional training to become a Flight Nurse. At that time, she was one of approximately 70 nurses to be on active flight status. She flew on a C 131 "The Good Samaritan" caring for critically ill or injured patients. She also served as Chief Flight Nurse at Travis AFB, medical training officer for the 13th Aero-Med. Squadron. She treated returning casualties from Viet Nam prior to Air evac to the States on board a medical ship. She also worked at various times as a psychiatric, surgical, medical and obstetric nurse.

Although Peg had no children of her own, she married a man with children. At that time, female officers were forced to resign their commissions if they had dependent children under 18 yoa living with them, or elect to have the matter resolved through a military court. As a result of her court case, female officers were finally allowed to remain in the military with dependent children.

Peg had a life long love of God and Country. Her Catholic faith gave her the strength to endure numerous illnesses, including breast cancer. Her love of Country took her to WIMSA (Women in Military Service for America), an organization that recognizes women's service in all military branches. She was able to attend the Honor Flight with fellow veterans to Washington D.C. in 2015 to visit their Memorials.

Peg was a strong, commanding woman, once described as "a tall attractive redhead" in a newspaper article.

She was every bit the Irish lass!

We feel she would have agreed with the following definition:

"I am an Irish woman.

I was born with my heart on my sleeve,

a fire in my soul,

and a mouth I can't control."

Peg is predeceased by her parents, four siblings and many friends from the military and 93 years of living. She is survived by a niece and nephew in Montana.

She will be deeply missed by her dear neighbor, Hope Mizzell, friends Dot and Virginia, Cindy, her attorney Heather, Mike Padua who gave her Holy Communion every Sunday at her home, friends from church including Lech and Theresa, Mary Self and her "adopted sister" Karyl Drake Boxmeyer of Seattle.

We take comfort knowing Peg is now free of pain and reunited with her family and many friends.

Her Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, September 15, 10:30 a.m., officiated by Monsignor Harris, with Military services following in Fort Jackson National Cemetery at noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated by St. Joseph Catholic Church and/or WIMSA (Washington D.C.)

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.