Fred Weymouth Wood

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Fred Weymouth Wood (0-955394), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the night of 20 July 1952 a platoon of Company A was assigned the mission of making contact with the opposing forces in the vicinity of Chokko-ri, Korea. Constant enemy flares made the mission hazardous and the friendly unit was forced to advance slowly and with extreme caution. Lieutenant Wood was preceding his unit when the entire area was subjected to an intense enemy mortar barrage and the fierce fire of three hostile machine gun emplacements. Although sustaining a severe wound, he continued on the mission and established a perimeter of defense. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Wood repeatedly exposed himself to the lethal enemy fire as he assaulted hostile positions and shouted words of encouragement to his men, While leading a squad in destroying the nearest enemy machine gun emplacement he was mortally wounded. Lieutenant Wood’s intrepid leadership and gallantry under enemy fire enabled the friendly force to successfully complete its mission with a minimum number of casualties and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.