World War II Honoree

David Woods

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Pawnee, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1940, BEFORE THE UNITED STATES ENTERED THE WAR. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT MARINE CORPS BASE, NAVAL OPERATING BASE, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER DURING THE WAR, IN THE SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL PACIFIC AREAS INCLUDING ON TARAWA ATOLL IN THE GILBERT ISLANDS; AND ON SAIPAN IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS. WOUNDED IN ACTION DURING COMBAT OPERATIONS ON TARAWA IN 1943, AND AGAIN ON SAIPAN IN 1944. AWARDED THE SILVER STAR, PURPLE HEART WITH GOLD STAR (2 AWARDS) FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 1 BRONZE STAR (2 AWARDS) FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS UNIT IN COMBAT, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. STAFF SERGEANT WOODS WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN. HE REENLISTED AND CONTINUED IN U.S. MARINE CORPS SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.