| Jesse Wood | |
| Fictional Character | |
| 1632 series POD: May, 1631 | |
| Appearance(s): | 1633 Ring of Fire 1634: The Baltic War 1634: The Bavarian Crisis 1636: The Saxon Uprising |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Nationality: | United States of Europe (born in the United States) |
| Date of Birth: | 1950 |
| Occupation: | Pilot, Soldier |
| Spouse: | Katherine "Kathy" Wood (wife) |
| Affiliations: | USE Air Force |
| Created by: | Mike Spehar |
Colonel James "Jesse" Wood was a retired United States Air Force tanker pilot living in Grantville at the time of the Ring of Fire. He was involved from the outset in the New United States/United States of Europe's efforts to develop basic aircraft and build an air force, and trained martyr Hans Richter how to fly. His efforts earned him the nickname Der Adler (the Eagle) from allies and enemies alike.
Throughout 1633, Wood concentrated on getting one functional plane, the Las Vegas Belle, off the ground. He succeeded, with the enthusiastic help of Hans Richter. With the completion of this first plane Mike Stearns authorized the formation of the USE Air Force. Richter's death in 1633 at the Battle of Wismar was a crushing blow to Wood, who nonetheless persevered.
During the winter of 1633-34, Wood organized a bombing raid on Paris designed to show Cardinal Richelieu the USE's displeasure with recent changes in French foreign policy which resulted in the League of Ostend and a French army besieging Gustavus Adolphus in Lübeck. Wood was unpretentious and informal with a tendency to calmness when others would panic. He had a bent for organization. The loss of Hans Richter left Wood with a strong dislike for the opponents of the USE and Gustavus Adolphus.