The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant William J. Wood (ASN: 568737), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 4th Engineers, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ville-Savoye, France, 11 August 1918. Although his eyes had been burned by gas, Sergeant Wood volunteered for duty and assisted in the construction of an artillery bridge across the Vesle River, under constant machine-gun and artillery fire, setting a conspicuous example of personal bravery and devotion to duty.