The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Hugh Wood, Jr. (NSN: 0-85378), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Bomber and Flight Leader in Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VB-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action while leading a bombing mission over Hiroshima Bay, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Lieutenant Commander Wood initiated and led a coordinated dive-bombing attack against a YAMATO class battleship and its screen, within sight and range of a major Naval base. In spite of heavily-concentrated, intense, and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the battleship, its screening force, and the surrounding shore batteries, which damaged six of the eleven aircraft engaged, he prosecuted the attack with aggressiveness and determination. His bomb was observed to strike squarely amidships on the battleship, as the first of three direct hits to be scored by his attacking group. His skillful coordination and execution of this attack, and his courageous, inspiring leadership were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Hugh Wood, Jr. (NSN: 0-85378), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Bomber and Flight Leader of Bombing Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VB-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet off Kyushu, Japan, 7 April 1945. Leading his flight of dive bombers in a coordinated strike against an enemy battleship in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the target and from a strong screening force of light cruisers and destroyers under unfavorable weather conditions, Lieutenant Commander Wood unhesitatingly dived within the cloud layer beneath which the hostile Task Force had sought cover and, pressing home a steep-angle attack, placed his bomb squarely amidships, causing a violent explosion and probably major damage to the Japanese vessel. His inspiring leadership and gallant devotion to duty were contributing factors to the success of a hazardous engagement and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.