Thomas Kenny Woodka

Tom Woodka was born on February 14, 1940 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Louis and Mardi Woodka. Tom attended St. Patrick's Grade school and subsequently attended Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, Illinois for High School and graduated with the rank of Cadet Major in 1957. He received a Vice-Presidential Appointment to the United States Naval Academy and graduated in June 1962.

He entered the Naval Service and was assigned to flight training in Pensacola, Florida after a short tour of duty teaching sailing at the Naval Academy in the summer of 1962. He received his Wings of Gold in December of 1963. Subsequent assignments were to VAW-12 in Norfolk, Virginia and Training Squadron 4 for jet transition and instructor duty in Pensacola, Florida. Upon completion of this tour of duty, he reported to Attack Squadron 115, flying the A-6 Intruder flying combat missions in Vietnam aboard the USS Midway. He was selected early for the Rank of LCDR and served in a variety of operational, supervisory, administrative and training positions of increased responsibility. Other tours of duty in the A-6 included VA-128 as the Training Officer and Executive Officer and Department head tour in V A-165 aboard the USS Constellation. He was selected for Command as the Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron 196 flying the A- 6-E Intruder aboard the USS Enterprise and USS Coral Sea. His career included the award of multiple Navy Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Medal of Honor, and numerous campaign and service medals. He was singled out as an aviator by the Top gunner in VT-4, the individual winner of the West Coast Intruder Bombing Derby, and the first West Coast recipient of the Norden Trophy for personal bombing excellence along with being the top Tailhooker on several deployments.

Tom achieved over 800 carrier landings, of which over 300 were at night, coupled with over 80 combat missions, over 50 support missions, and over 5000 hours accident-free flight hours, highlighting an outstanding and enviable career as a Navy Pilot. His time in the A-6 aviation community by his own testimony was the highlight of his life.

Upon retirement from the Navy in 1984, Tom joined Lear Sieglar International Corporation located in Stamford, CT. which subsequently was purchased by Smiths Industries. He was personally selected by all divisions’ presidents to be the interface briefer on the methods and procedures for foreign marketing to foreign customers after the culmination of this acquisition. In his capacity there, he managed and directed overseas marketing efforts of seven overseas offices and associated personnel of integrated avionics systems. He was personally involved in direct interface and negotiations with heads of foreign military procurement agencies in a variety of foreign countries. He was promoted from Manager to Director based on his personal involvement in the capture of a critical integration plan of the P-3 aircraft with the Portuguese Air Force. He was tasked, as a qualified expert, with briefing the cultures and customs of a variety of countries to all corporate personnel prior to a travel by an employee to these countries.

In 1990, he was reassigned to the Corporate Offices of Litton Industries as the Director of Naval Requirements in Washington, DC. Subsequent acquisition of Litton by Northrop Grumman kept Tom constantly involved with the Navy. He was responsible for maintaining corporate interest and positive image with the United States Navy. He was recognized within the company as "the voice of the customer" which became his forte. He was assisting the Navy he loved, to achieve the maximum benefits from Industry by always voicing the concerns and feelings of the Navy. His interpersonal skills as a negotiator and mediator along with his absolute honesty made him a "friend in Industry" where he was always sought by the highest management in the Navy and Industry for his opinions and recommendations. His personal interaction with various Flag officers at the Naval Air Systems Command led to un-forecasted business in excess of $100 million while assuring the satisfaction of existing contracts.

Tom retired from Northrop Grumman in 2006, and has worked part time at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club as a Starter and a Ranger since 2008.

He is a life member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association along with memberships in the Tailhook Association, Knights of Columbus, Virginia Aeronautical Historical Association, and St. Olaf Catholic Church.

Tom and Marcia, his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, moved to Williamsburg in 2001 for the final move of some 20 moves over the course of their marriage. Tom is survived by his wife Marcia, along with three children and their spouses: Sally (Ralf Winkelmann), Janet Woodka (Kirk Johnson), and Steve Woodka. Tom was also blessed with grandchildren, Maegan (Justin Cohen), Kurt Winkelmann and Alex and Sean Woodka.

Tom will have a Funeral Mass at St. Olaf's Catholic Church with Military Honors and will be interred later this spring at The Columbarium at the United States Naval Academy.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Tom’s honor to Hospice House of Williamsburg (williamsburghospice.org), St. Joseph's Indian School (stjo.org), St. Olaf's Catholic Church (stolaf.cc), or a charity of your choice.