Samuel H. Wood

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Samuel H. Wood, Chief Shipfitter, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on board the U.S.S. PIGEON (AM-47) during a Japanese aerial attack on the Navy Yard at Cavite, Philippine Islands, on 10 December 1941. Despite frequent explosions of air flasks and torpedo warheads, danger from burning docks, and in the face of continued enemy bombing attacks, Chief Shipfitter Wood and two comrades courageously and ably assisted in the work of towing a United States submarine to safety and in clearing the docks of the Cavite Navy Yard of naval vessels and yard craft.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)