Paul Douglas Wood
Major, U.S. Army

Paul Douglas Wood was the son of Winthrop Samuel and Pauline Lydia Culler Wood. His father was a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy with the Class of 1889. Paul's paternal grandfather was brevetted Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Henry Clay Wood, who was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery on 10 August 1861 at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, Missouri, during the Civil War.

On 12 January 1942, then-Major Paul Douglas Wood was serving as Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, U.S. Army.

On that day, MAJ Wood’s unit was in action against Japanese forces. MAJ Wood’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

In a deposition dated 20 July 1943 and taken at Military Prison Camp No 1 of the Philippine Islands, Cabanatuan, Province of Nueva Ecija, Philippine Islands. Harold K. Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, swore the following: "That he saw the dead body of Paul D. Wood, Major, Infantry, Serial No. 0-19293, who was killed by a bomb on 7 April 1942 about 50 yards west of the 31st Division Command Post on Trail 2, Bataan, Philippine Islands."

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

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)

Memorialization

The remains of Major Paul Douglas Wood have never been recovered. He is memorialized by having his name inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56778306/paul-douglas-wood