The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Norman D. Wood (MCSN: 459057), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a machine gun platoon leader of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 13 March 1945. When his platoon was attacked by seven of the enemy armed with a light machine gun and hand grenades, while organizing and establishing a defensive position for the night, Corporal Wood boldly moved forward alone with hand grenades and a carbine, despite intense hostile fire, to kill four of the Japanese and rout the remainder. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.