Roy Irving Wood, Jr.

Enlisted March 1942 and placed on inactive duty with Platoon Leaders’ Unit, Sixth Resserve District. Called to active duty 20 July 1942, assigned to Company K, Officer Candidates’ Class at Quantico, Virginia. Commissioned as second lieutenant on 26 September 1942; attended Twelfth Reserve Officers’ Class at Quantico, Virginia.

Joined Able Company, First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) at New River, North Carolina, on 12 December 1942.

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines (2 Platoon)
Rank: First Lieutenant
MOS: 1542 (Platoon leader)
Important Events:
February 1, 1944 – slightly wounded in action (shrapnel, left knee); not evacuated

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines (2 Platoon)
Rank: First Lieutenant
MOS: 1542 (Platoon leader)
Important Events: 
June 22, 1944 – slightly wounded in action (shrapnel, right thigh); not evacuated
July 6, 1944 – wounded in action (shrapnel, right shoulder & chest); evacuated to field hospital
July 13, 1944 – returned to duty

Awarded Bronze Star Medal for service on Saipan:

For meritorious service as a platoon leader of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, from 15 June to 16 July 1944. During an assault on a heavily defended position on the western shore of the island, Captain Wood, then a first lieutenant, skillfully led his platoon through intense enemy fire and, although seriously wounded in this action, continued to direct the fire of his men until evacuated by order of his commanding officer. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines (2 Platoon)
Rank: First Lieutenant
MOS: 1542 (Platoon leader)

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: First Lieutenant
MOS: 2600 (Executive officer) 
Important Events:
February 25, 1945 – assumed command of Able Company following death of Major William K. Stewart
March 9, 1945 – temporarily replaced as commanding officer by Major Irving Schechter; served as executive officer
March 18, 1945 – resumed command of company

Campaign Narrative

Served as commanding officer of A/1/24th Marines from 19 March 1945 to 15 August 1945. Transferred to HQ/1/24th Marines for service on battalion staff. On 31 October 1945, transferred to Third Reserve District following deactivation of regiment.