PAUL D. WOOD, MAJ, USA
Paul Wood '31
Lucky Bag
Paul is listed as "Those Who Have Gone..." Plebe Year. He is listed as having been appointed from "At Large" in the Annual Register of the United States Naval Academy 1927-1928. He was admitted on June 16, 1927 at age 19 years 7 months. Elsewhere he is listed as having entered the service from Washington, D.C.
The Howitzer (West Point Yearbook)
From the 1933 Howitzer:
PAUL DOUGLAS WOOD
Pennsylvania
1930\
"Boy! Lookit 'at million dollar grin! Whatta ya say, Pete?"\
"Aw, nothin' much. I just got on the boxin' squad."\
"Say, that's fine. Be seein' you."
1931\
"S'matter, Pete? You looked griped as hell."\
"Aw, I'm 'D.' I'm afraid they're gonna get me. I been burnin' the midnight oil, to coin a phrase, but the stuff's over my head."
1932\
"Pro yet, Pete? You look sort of griped."\
"Aw, no. I been turned out twice now. I'm scared to death they're gonna get me this time."
1933\
"Boy! Lookit 'at million dollar grin! Whatta ya say, Pete?"\
"Aw, say, I'm 'pro' as a fiddler's pup. I never thought I was gonna make it, but it looks like there'll be a Second Lieutenant Wood in June."
Football (4); Baseball (4); Boxing (4); Rifle Marksman; A.B.
Senatorial Appointment.
PAUL DOUGLAS WOOD
Pennsylvania
1930\
"Boy! Lookit 'at million dollar grin! Whatta ya say, Pete?"\
"Aw, nothin' much. I just got on the boxin' squad."\
"Say, that's fine. Be seein' you."
1931\
"S'matter, Pete? You looked griped as hell."\
"Aw, I'm 'D.' I'm afraid they're gonna get me. I been burnin' the midnight oil, to coin a phrase, but the stuff's over my head."
1932\
"Pro yet, Pete? You look sort of griped."\
"Aw, no. I been turned out twice now. I'm scared to death they're gonna get me this time."
1933\
"Boy! Lookit 'at million dollar grin! Whatta ya say, Pete?"\
"Aw, say, I'm 'pro' as a fiddler's pup. I never thought I was gonna make it, but it looks like there'll be a Second Lieutenant Wood in June."
Football (4); Baseball (4); Boxing (4); Rifle Marksman; A.B.
Senatorial Appointment.
Loss
Paul was lost on April 7, 1942 on the Bataan peninsula, Philippines. He was commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, a unit that in 1941 was composed primarily of American officers and Filipino men. (Some information from now-broken link at http://philippine-defenders.lib.wv.us/QuanNews/quan1900s/quan1970s/november_1975_quan.pdf)
Forces on the Bataan peninsula were surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942.
Paul attended the Gettysburg Academy and later graduated the US Military Academy at West Point in 1933.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Paul's father was Brigadier General Winthrop Samuel Wood. In 1910 the family was in Manila: mother Pauline, brother Robert was 4, born in District of Columbia, and Paul was 2, born in Washington.
Paul and his wife Dorothy had a son Paul, Jr., born in 1935 in Maine. In 1935 Paul was stationed in Fort McKinley, Maine, and in 1940 Paul was a 1st Lieutenant, 34th Infantry, stationed at Chattahoochee, Georgia.
He is listed at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial; he has another Find A Grave page.
Distinguished Service Cross
From Military Hall of Honor:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Paul Douglas Wood (ASN: 0-19293), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, in action against enemy forces on 12 January 1942, in the Philippine Islands. Major Wood's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 108 (1946)
He was also awarded the Bronze Star medal.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
