"He volunteered to investigate the delay in a scheduled attack by an
attached guerrilla battalion. Reaching the line of departure, he found
that the lead company, in combat for the first time, was immobilized by
intense enemy mortar, machinegun, and rifle fire which had caused
casualties to key personnel. Knowing that further failure to advance
would endanger the flanks of adjacent units, as well as delay capture of
the objective, he immediately took command of the company, evacuated
the wounded, reorganized the unit under fire, and prepared to attack. He
repeatedly exposed himself to draw revealing fire from the Japanese strong points, and then moved forward with a 5-man covering force to
determine exact enemy positions. Although intense enemy machinegun fire
killed 2 and wounded his other 3 men, S/Sgt. Woodford resolutely
continued his patrol before returning to the company. Then, against
bitter resistance, he guided the guerrillas up a barren hill and
captured the objective, personally accounting for 2 hostile machine gunners and courageously reconnoitering strong defensive
positions before directing neutralizing fire. After organizing a
perimeter defense for the night, he was given permission by radio to
return to his battalion, but, feeling that he was needed to maintain
proper control, he chose to remain with the guerrillas. Before dawn the
next morning the enemy launched a fierce suicide attack with mortars,
grenades, and small-arms fire, and infiltrated through the perimeter.
Though wounded by a grenade, S/Sgt. Woodford remained at his post
calling for mortar support until bullets knocked out his radio. Then,
seizing a rifle he began working his way around the perimeter,
encouraging the men until he reached a weak spot where 2 guerrillas had
been killed. Filling this gap himself, he fought off the enemy. At
daybreak he was found dead in his foxhole, but 37 enemy dead were lying
in and around his position. By his daring, skillful, and inspiring
leadership, as well as by his gallant determination to search out and
kill the enemy, S/Sgt. Woodford led an inexperienced unit in capturing
and securing a vital objective, and was responsible for the successful
continuance of a vitally important general advance."
From S/Sgt Woodford's Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1945
May you be at peace,
Brian & Melonie
USNS Woodford
Memorial in Barberton, OH
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