Marine Corporal Robert Wood, a casualty of the Vietnam War, was memorialized today with a sign naming a portion of Paterson Road in his honor. Wood was born in Fanwood, a fact that was lost following the war until just recently, thanks to a local Boy Scout.

The new sign

Michael Mahaffey, a junior at Union Catholic High School, researched Corporal Wood’s background for his Eagle Scout project. It turned out that Wood was never acknowledged as a Fanwood native because his place of birth was mistakenly listed as Georgia where he moved to live with his brother many years ago. Mahaffey followed the trail of historic information until confirming that Wood was born in Fanwood and spent his childhood here. The project culminated today with the unveiling of a street sign honoring Cpl. Wood at the intersection of Paterson Road and Martine Avenue.

Mahaffey was joined at the ceremony by Mr. Wood’s brother Richard, 91, who drove up from Virginia, fellow scouts from Troop 203, a U.S. Air Force honor guard and the entire Fanwood-Scotch Plains Memorial Day Committee. Mayor Colleen Mahr made remarks. Fanwood Councilwoman Kathy Mitchell and Scotch Plains Councilman Matt Adams attended, along with many local residents.