Theodore Remington Woo
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Theodore Remington Woo was born on 6 December 1925, in Charleston, WV, one of ten children born to Matthew J. and Loo Shee Woo. He attended Charleston High School and was vice president, and president, of his classes. He graduated with the class of 1943. Active in the chess club, his skill led to his being the runner-up champion of Charleston.

In October 1951, Second Lieutenant Theodore Remington Woo was serving as a Platoon Leader in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in Korea.

On 3 October, the 1st Cavalry Division commenced Operation Commando against enemy forces at Mago-ri, North Korea. This was a month-long campaign to push the Chinese and North Koreans out of the Chorwon area. 2LT Woo led his platoon to Company K'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. 2LT Woo was again wounded, the platoon's ammunition supply was used up, and withdrawal become necessary. While he was directing the withdrawal and the evacuation of the wounded, he was killed by an enemy mortar shell. 2LT Woo's heroic action earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (Germany)
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (Second Award)

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Theodore R. Woo (ASN: 0-2202513), United States 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. Lieutenant Woo's heroic action and unhesitating devotion to duty are in keeping with the best traditions of the military service.

General Orders: Department of the Army: General Orders No. 89 (October 3, 1952)

Burial

Second Lieutenant Theodore Remington Woo is buried at Forest Hills Cemetery and Crematory in Jamaica Plain, Suffolk County, MA.

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