Ivan F. Woods

1st Lieutenant, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 37 (October 31, 1943)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ivan F. Woods (ASN: 0-455327), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on **** 1943, in the **** Islands, Bay of ****, Sicily.
Having been assigned the mission of consolidating the **** Islands after the capture of ****, Lieutenant Woods moved a detachment of 28 men through mined waters to the Island of ****, restored order in the islands and collected more than 400 prisoners. Lieutenant Woods was obliged to traverse mined waters between the islands of ****, ****, and ****. Without thought of personal safety and without waiting for minesweepers, he successfully completed his assignment, although the boat he used was damaged by a mine explosion while in use on the mission.
His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.