U.S. Army Infantry Colonel William W. Wood personified leadership and sacrifice necessary. Born in Lubbock, Texas on October 12, 1961, Wood grew up in a military household in Panama City, Florida. After graduating from Florida State University and completing the ROTC program in 1984, Wood joined the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer.

Over the next twenty years, Wood served in various capacities at Fort Benning, Georgia, Baumholder, Germany, and Kosovo. In September 2004, Wood assumed command of the Second Brigade Combat Team at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He deployed to Iraq in January 2005 with the Army National Guard's First Battalion and 184th Infantry Regiment and was instrumental in promoting constitutional reform for the Iraqi people.

On October 27, 2005, while directing security operations, he was killed by an improvised explosive device. Upon his death, the U.S. Army posthumously promoted him to the rank of Colonel and awarded him the Purple Heart.

Colonel William W. Wood was a remarkable individual and U.S. serviceman who encouraged those in his charge to serve to the best of their abilities for the people of the United States as well as those of Iraq.

Researched and written by Kathleen Zielinski.