William Posey Wood
Private William P. Wood served the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Astoria (CA-34).
He was lost at sea in the battle of Savo Island, off Guadalcanal, on 9 August 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 321825
Current Status
Lost At Sea
Pursuit Category
Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 26, 1923
at Headland, AL
Parents
John Robert Wood, Sr. (d. 1943)
Leola (Tye) Wood
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
September 9, 1941
at Birmingham, AL
Home Of Record
305 North Bell Street
Dothan, AL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Leola Wood
Military Specialty
Ship’s Detachment
Primary Unit
USS Astoria
Campaigns Served
Coral Sea
Midway
Guadalcanal / Savo Island
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private William Wood served with the Marine detachment aboard the heavy cruiser USS Astoria in 1942. While his exact duties aboard ship are not currently known, he likely had a battle station at one of the anti-aircraft batteries and participated in action at the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway.
Astoria provided fire support for the Marine landings at Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942, and remained on station to guard the vulnerable transports offloading supplies. In the early morning hours of 9 August, a Japanese surface fleet slipped into the channel and caught the Allied warships completely by surprise. Astoria roused her crew to battle stations and entered the fray at approximately 0150 hours. The ship fought bravely, but the effects of surprise and superior Japanese night tactics proved too much to overcome. Four Allied cruisers were soon flaming wrecks, and the Japanese withdrew at 0225.
Damage control crews tried valiantly to save the damaged Astoria and managed to keep her afloat for several hours. The cumulative effect of at least 65 hits, numerous fires, and personnel casualties gradually overwhelmed their efforts. Astoria listed and settled by the stern, finally sinking at 1216 hours on 9 August. In all, 219 of her crew perished in the battle of Savo Island.
Private Wood was lost in the sinking; the exact details of his fate are not known. Originally reported as missing in action after the battle, he was ultimately declared dead on 10 August 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
Remains lost at sea; ship considered to be final resing place.
Memorials
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Georgetown Cemetery, Georgetown, Georgia
The wreck of the Astoria was discovered in 2015.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Leola Wood.
Location Of Loss
The Astoria sank in Iron Bottom Sound at 1216, 9 August 1942.
