The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Edward Eugene Wood, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane and Commanding Officer of Torpedo Squadron THIRTY-ONE (VT-31), attached to the U.S.S. CABOT (CVL-28), in action against major units of the Japanese fleet west of the Mariana Islands during the first Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 20 June 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Wood led a four plane division from his squadron in an attack against the enemy fleet on 20 June 1944, west of the Mariana Islands, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and determined fighter opposition. He personally scored two direct hits on an enemy carrier and his courage, skill in combat, and determination were a high incentive to the pilots who followed him in a successful attack. At the conclusion of the attack, he led his division safely back to their own Task Group over 300 miles through the darkness without the loss of a pilot or crewman. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.