Harry Wood

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Harry Wood, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron TWO (VS-2), embarked from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. Participating in a dive-bombing attack on an enemy aircraft carrier on 7 May, Ensign Wood aided materially in the sinking of the vessel by pressing home his attack with skill and determination. After successfully carrying out an attack on another enemy carrier on 8 May, in which he contributed to either severe damage or complete destruction of the vessel by obtaining a direct hit with a 1,000 pound bomb, he reported the completion of his mission, then failed to return. His outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 311 (February 1943)