Mike & H&S Companies 

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines

Veterans of the Vietnam War

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure is presenting the

NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL

To

HOSPITALMAN EVERETT T. WOOD

UNITED STATES NAVY

For service set forth in the following CITATION:

"For heroic achievement while serving as a Corpsman with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.

On 10 May 1968, while participating in Operation Houston, Company M came under a heavy volume of sniper fire from a large North Vietnamese Army in Quang Nam Province.  During the ensuing fire fight, numerous Marines were seriously wounded and several of them fell in areas dangerously exposed to the hostile fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Hospitalman WOOD unhesitatingly left his cover position and fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to the side of a wounded comrade. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him, he moved the casualty to a position of relative safety and skillfully administered first aid to the man. Continuing his determined efforts, he boldly exposed himself to the intense fire on four subsequent occasions to retrieve and aid wounded Marines lying in the hazardous area. Throughout the next four days, he skillfully provided continuous medical care to numerous casualties until helicopters were able to land and evacuate the wounded men. His sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades in the face of extreme personal danger inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several wounded "Marines.

By his courage, exceptional professionalism, and unwavering devotion to duty, HOSPITALMAN WOOD upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

HOSPITALMAN WOOD is authorized to wear the Combat "V".

For the Secretary of the Navy,

H. W. Buss, Jr.

Lieutenant General, U.S. MARINES CORPS

Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific