English High School News
His Positivity at Age 97 Is Downright Inspirational!
Living Legend, Enoch ‘Woody’ Woodhouse II ’44, Reflects on Life 80 Years Since His Graduation
In all probability, Samuel Adams Wells, grandson of former Governor Samuel Adams, a visionary founder of English High School, is smiling from above on Enoch ‘Woody’ Woodhouse II, and thinking, “English High School was created for people like him.”
Upon graduation in 1944, as World War II was still raging, Woody and 20 of his classmates enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Too young to be a pilot in the group that became known as the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first all-black combat flying unit, Woody became paymaster. Upon discharge in 1949, he joined the Air Force Reserve and earned his undergraduate degree from Yale in 1952. He went on to graduate from BU’s School of Law. He worked as a trial lawyer in private practice in Boston and as an attorney in the US State Department and for the city for more than 40 years.
Today Woody is one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. He speaks extensively of fighting two battles: one defending his country against the Axis, the second against racial discrimination, segregation, and prejudice.
Woody Woodhouse and other surviving members of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen were presented the Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 2007, at a ceremony in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol “in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.”
Woody’s military service earned him numerous awards, most notably the Congressional Gold Medal, bestowed by Congress for distinguished achievements and contributions. He and the other Tuskegee Airmen received the medal from President George W. Bush in 2006. In 2022, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker appointed him to the State Militia with the rank of Brigadier General.
Today, in addition to traveling to talk about his life and experience as a Tuskegee Airman, Woody serves on the English High School Association Board of Directors and was involved in planning the big English High 200th Birthday Gala event in 2022. He told us, “I’ll do anything for English High.”
Woody’s Positivity Is Inspirational
Recently we asked Woody for advice for today’s EHS students. He says, “For a good life, work hard. Be prepared to make a decent living to support yourself and your family. Success doesn’t happen in front of the TV or in a pool hall. It comes from practice and study – to become the best you can be. Be ready for tough times, too. Be able to adapt, know what’s going on today, keep up with current events. Look things up on Google and use AI.”
He adds, “High school graduation is the first step of your life’s progress. It lays the groundwork for your life and career, whether in business or a profession.”
Secrets to Longevity
We asked Woody to share his secrets to longevity, he gave a characteristic laugh. “If I tell you, it’s no longer a secret!” The son and grandson of ministers continues: “Life is a simple thing. Always do the right thing. Listen to your body’s secrets. Be guided by the Ten Commandments. It’s all right there and helps you in good and bad times. Humanity hasn’t changed. We’re all human.”
“Life is a simple thing. Always do the right thing.”
