The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Estel W. Wood (ASN: RA-15417389), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 22 September 1950 Corporal Wood courageously led his squad to spearhead an attack on enemy positions on a hill near Changnyong-ni, Korea. When hostile machine gun fire threatened the platoon, he maneuvered his squad to envelop and neutralize the weapons. By his aggressive and exemplary leadership, Corporal Wood inspired his men to seize the objective. While emplacing a signal panel to mark the forward limits of his position, he was seriously wounded but continued forward to accomplish his mission. Corporal Wood’s outstanding leadership and conspicuous courage reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.