 June 23, 2002
"I did what I had to do. I don't consider myself to be a hero, but my family thinks I am," the Point Pleasant, W.Va., native said. "I would not be receiving the Silver Star without help from the men in my section. The privilege of receiving this honor I owe to the others with whom I served." The Silver Star is awarded
to America's service members who display distinguished gallantry
and heroism. It is the third highest military award for combat.
Established in 1918 as the On Feb. 11, 1951, Wood, a serving as section leader of Battery D, 82nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, moved a wounded soldier to safety while under a heavy Chinese attack. The next day he directed heavy machine gun fire against enemy forces attempting to surround his unit, saving more lives of his comrades. "The situation was worse than I ever thought it could be," Wood said. "I expected to do what I had to do to survive and to protect my men under me. Leaders could not show fear or weakness. They could not fall apart. My being awarded this medal brings attention to all of the forgotten veterans of the Korean War." Wood will also receive the Republic of Korea - Korean Service Medal from retired Republic of Korea Gen. Paik Sun Yup, commander of South Korean forces during the war. More than 1.8 million service members who fought in the Korean War are eligible for the medal.
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