The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Donald E. Woods (MCSN: 452130), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a bulldozer operator of Company D, Second Battalion, Seventeenth Marines (Engineer), FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain from 9 to 15 January 1944. Assigned to aid our tanks during advances on successive objectives through dense jungle and hilly terrain, Private First Class Woods unhesitatingly preceded the armor and infantry into hostile territory to clear roads for our forces and despite his lack of cover from the intense enemy fire, continued to work coolly and efficiently until the mission was accomplished. His courageous actions and unswerving devotion to the fulfillment of his mission reflect the great credit upon Private First Class Woods and the United States Naval Service.