Medal of Honor: Howard E. Woodford - World War II - June 6-7, 1945

Name: Howard E. Woodford
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company I, 130th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 6-7, 1945
Location: Near Tabio, Luzon, Philippine Islands

Summary of Action

On 6 June 1945, during operations on Luzon in the Philippine Islands, Staff Sergeant Howard E. Woodford displayed extraordinary heroism while supporting an attached Filipino guerrilla battalion engaged in combat against entrenched Japanese forces.

When a scheduled attack unexpectedly stalled, Woodford volunteered to investigate the delay. Reaching the line of departure, he discovered that the lead guerrilla company—fighting its first major engagement—had been immobilized by intense enemy mortar, machine-gun, and rifle fire that had inflicted heavy casualties among its leaders.

Realizing that any further delay threatened the flanks of neighboring units and the success of the larger offensive, Woodford immediately assumed command.

Working calmly under fire, he evacuated the wounded, reorganized the shaken company, and prepared it to resume the attack.

To locate the concealed Japanese defenses, Woodford repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in hopes of drawing revealing shots. He then advanced with a five-man patrol to pinpoint the hostile positions. Although two of his companions were killed and the remaining three wounded by concentrated machine-gun fire, Woodford pressed on alone before returning with the information needed to continue the assault.

Leading the guerrillas up a barren hillside through bitter resistance, he personally killed two enemy machine gunners and courageously reconnoitered heavily defended positions before directing effective fire against them. His leadership enabled the inexperienced force to seize its objective.

After organizing a defensive perimeter for the night, Woodford received permission by radio to return to his own battalion.

He refused.

Believing his presence remained essential to the guerrillas' ability to hold their newly won position, he chose to stay.

Before dawn on 7 June, the Japanese launched a ferocious suicide attack supported by mortars, grenades, and small arms fire, penetrating portions of the perimeter. Although wounded by grenade fragments, Woodford remained at his post, calmly directing mortar support until enemy bullets destroyed his radio.

Without hesitation, he seized a rifle and moved around the defensive line, encouraging exhausted defenders and reinforcing weak points.

Reaching a section where two guerrillas had already been killed, Woodford personally occupied the gap and fought off repeated enemy assaults.

When daylight arrived, he was found dead in his foxhole.

Surrounding his position lay thirty-seven Japanese soldiers who had fallen in the final defense.

By his exceptional courage, inspiring leadership, and willingness to sacrifice himself for others, Staff Sergeant Howard E. Woodford enabled an inexperienced unit to capture and hold a vital objective, ensuring the continued success of the American advance on Luzon. His actions reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

WOODFORD, HOWARD E.

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 130th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Tabio, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 6 June 1945.

Entered service at: Barberton, Ohio.

Birth: Barberton, Ohio.

G.O. No.: 14, 4 February 1946.

Citation:

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, machine-gun, 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 strongpoints, and then moved forward with a 5-man covering force to determine exact enemy positions. Although intense enemy machine-gun 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.