The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Lester Ellsworth Wood (MCSN: 1968049), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gun Section Leader with Company H, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 7 October 1966. While acting as the point on a company search and destroy operation, the platoon to which Sergeant Wood was attached suddenly encountered heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from an estimated platoon of North Vietnamese Regulars concealed and fortified in surrounding hedgerows. Almost immediately, nine Marines became casualties. While the platoon was assaulting the enemy, Sergeant Wood, without regard for his own safety, left his protected position and courageously charged forward through the hedgerows and open areas, to personally carry three of his wounded comrades to safety. His exceptional bravery undoubtedly saved the lives of the stricken Marines. By his daring actions and inspiring devotion to his comrades in the face of grave personal risk, Sergeant Wood upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.