World War II Honoree

Wood Barbee Kyle

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Pecos, Texas

Honored By

Kay Eccleston

Relationship

Niece

SERVED WITH THE 2ND MARINES IN THE PACIFIC AREA. PARTICIPATED IN CAMPAIGNS AT SAIPAN AND TINIAN. WHILE IN THE PACIFIC, HIS BATTALION COMMANDER WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AT GUADALCANAL AND LIEUTENANT COLONEL WOOD ASSUMED COMMAND OF THE BATTALION, REFUSING EVACUATION FOR HIS OWN WOUNDS. THE SILVER STAR MEDAL WAS AWARDED HIM FOR HEROISM DURING THIS CAMPAIGN. HE EARNED A SECOND SILVER STAR MEDAL FOR COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP ON TARAWA IN NOVEMBER 1943, WHEN HE PERSONALLY LED HIS MEN IN AN ATTACK ON THE HEAVILY DEFENDED CENTRAL SECTOR OF THE ISLAND. HE WAS GIVEN AN EARLY PROMOTION TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL IN DECEMBER 1943 FOR MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP OF THE 1ST BATTALION, 2ND MARINES ON GUADALCANAL AND TARAWA.