The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Deane Woods (NSN: 632730/1315), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 1967 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Woods is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 25 (VA-25)Division:
U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)Action Date:
October 12 – 13, 1966
Board Serial 8961 (December 9, 1966)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Robert Deane Woods (NSN: 632730/1315), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 12 and 13 October 1966, while serving as Pilot of a propeller-driven aircraft with Attack Squadron TWENTY-FIVE (VA-25), embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43), during combat operations in Southeast Asia. While flying an armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam on 12 October, Lieutenant Commander Woods was forced to bail out of his burning aircraft which had received a direct hit from enemy anti-aircraft artillery. Contact was established that afternoon, but efforts to rescue him were hampered by the dense jungle cover and the many enemy ground forces in the area. When a helicopter pickup was attempted, Lieutenant Commander Woods directed the helicopter to dear the area because of ground fire. The next day, search and rescue aircraft located him for a second time and called in a helicopter to effect the rescue. As the helicopter approached his position to hover, Lieutenant Commander Woods heard enemy ground forces, in close proximity to his position, directing small arms fire at the helicopter. Aware that his prime signaling devices were almost exhausted, which greatly diminished the possibility for another rescue attempt, and also aware of the extreme vulnerability of the crew in the hovering helicopter, he chose to terminate the rescue attempt by directing the helicopter to clear the area. Lieutenant Commander Woods voluntarily sacrificed his rescue for the second time in as many days for the safety of the helicopter crew. By his courageous actions in the face of imminent capture, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Deane Woods (NSN: 632730/1315), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in October 1966. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 20, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Deane Woods (NSN: 632730/1315), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 20 November 1967. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 1966 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Robert Deane Woods (NSN: 632730/1315), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1966 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Woods is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
October 12, 1966 – March 4, 1973
Commander Robert Deane Woods (NSN: 632730/1315), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 12, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 2, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Robert Deane Woods (NSN: 632730/1315), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 2 August 1967. Commander Woods’ captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Woods reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.