Theodore R. Woo

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Theodore R. Woo (0-2202513), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Second Lieutenant Woo distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Mago-ri, Korea, on 3 October 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Woo led his platoon to the company’s objective under intense mortar and small-arms fire. In the initial assault, he outdistanced his leading elements and knocked out an enemy bunker. Although wounded in the arm, he left the hill, reorganized the platoon, and again led them to the objective. Before he could organize to hold the captured hill, a powerful enemy counterattack struck the position. Lieutenant Woo was again wounded, the platoon’s ammunition was exhausted, and its withdrawal become necessary. While he was courageously directing the withdrawal and the evacuation of the wounded, he was killed by an enemy mortar shell.