Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Gunnery Sergeant William E. Wood (MCSN: 694385), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Company A, Sixth Machine-Gun Battalion, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action with the enemy in Bois-de-Belleau, France, on the night of 15 June 1918. When a non-commissioned officer of his company lay helplessly wounded in a position exposed to heavy and continuous enemy artillery fire, Gunnery Sergeant Wood voluntarily left the comparative safety of a dugout and went to his assistance. Crawling on his hands and knees in the darkness through the intense enemy fire, Gunnery Sergeant Wood finally reached the wounded non commissioned officer, and with the help of an officer dragged him to the safety of the dugout, thereby saving his life.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Gunnery Sergeant

    Batallion:

    6th Machine-Gun Battalion

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 1 – 10, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Gunnery Sergeant William E. Wood (MCSN: 694385), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Gunnery Sergeant Wood distinguished himself while serving with the 15th Company, 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Blanc Mont, France, 1 – 10 October 1918.