THOMAS D. WOOD, then Staff Sergeant, Infantry, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action in the Southwest Pacific Area, on 26 May 1945. While landing a six man reconnaissance patrol into enemy-held territory in search of an enemy demolition team which had made repeated attempts to mine portions of the Putlan River Road, Luzon, Philippine Islands, Sergeant Wood, Company L, 148th Infantry, suddenly encountered an enemy infantry squad, concealed in the brush not more than ten yards away. Before the patrol could react to the situation, the enemy hurled two grenades into their midst. Seeing that the lives of three of his men were endangered by the inevitable explosion, Sergeant Wood immediately threw the full weight of his body against his comrades, knocking all three to the ground and shielding them with the entire length of his body. The grenade exploded five yards away, showering the area with steel fragments, severely wounding Sergeant Wood. Crawling into a shallow gully nearby, he ordered his men to withdraw to a more favorable location, opened fire on the Japanese to cover the movement, and killed three of the enemy before exhausting his supply of ammunition. Weakened by loss of blood, he made his way through 250 yards of dense jungle and up a steep slope where he was received by other members of the patrol and evacuated. Through his gallant and resourceful action in the face of overwhelming odds, Sergeant Wood saved three of his comrades from certain injury and set an inspiring example which is in accord with the highest traditions of the military service.

Mr. Wood resided in California.