Wood B. Kyle

Wood Barbee Kyle (March 3, 1915 – October 25, 2000) was a highly decorated officer of the

Kyle was born on March 3, 1915, in Pecos, Texas, and grew up in Hillsboro, where he attended a local high school. Upon his graduation in the summer of 1932, Kyle went to College Station, where he attended Texas A&M University. While at university, he was a member of ROTC unit and following his graduation in June 1936 with a bachelor's degree, Kyle was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.^[2][3][1]

However, Kyle resigned his U.S. Army commission;to accept an appointment as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on July 11, 1936. He was subsequently ordered to

Kyle was subsequently ordered to attached to

With the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Kyle was promoted to the temporary rank of captain and ordered to San Diego, where he was appointed company commander within 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines under Colonel John M. Arthur. The 2nd Marines were tasked with the training of new recruits, before they were ordered to Koro Island in July 1942. Kyle was promoted to the rank of major during the following month and appointed executive officer of 1st Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Hill.^[1][4]

During the

Kyle remained with 1st Battalion at Guadalcanal until the end of January 1943 and subsequently was ordered to Wellington, New Zealand. He was appointed permanent commanding officer of 1st Battalion and spent following several months with training and reorganization for upcoming combat deployment – Tarawa.^[1]

The first battalion was designated regimental reserve, but casualties were so high, that Colonel David M. Shoup ordered Kyle and his unit ashore during the first hours of the landing. Major Kyle immediately directed his companies’ in the bitter assault against a fanatic enemy and despite the extreme danger, personally commanded his men in brilliantly executed attacks against the heavily defended central sector of the island. Assuming control of the remnants of one of the battalions of his regiment the following day, he promptly reorganized the unit for further sustained operations against the strongly entrenched Japanese.^[5][6]

Kyle received his second Silver Star for his actions on Tarawa and was promoted to the rank of

Upon detachment from Fort Leavenworth in August 1947, Kyle was decorated with Army Commendation Medal for his service there and ordered to Pearl Harbor for duty at Headquarters Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. Kyle served under Lieutenant General Thomas E. Watson as assistant operations officer and took part in service in Guam, Qingdao and Hawaii.^[1]

In June 1949, Kyle was ordered to

In July 1956, Kyle was ordered to Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania and attended course at Army War College there. Upon graduation in August of that year, he became Chief of Tactics Branch, Tactics and Technique Board, Marine Corps Landing Force Development Center at Quantico, Virginia.^[2]

Kyle was ordered to

Following his return stateside, Kyle was ordered to Camp Pendleton and assumed command of 5th Marine Division. The division did not deploy overseas and served as a training unit. Kyle later served as commanding general of the nucleus of 4th Marine Division, which had the same purpose as 5th Division. He received the Legion of Merit for his service at Camp Pendleton.^[5][3][1]

Major General Kyle retired from the United States Marine Corps on August 31, 1968, after 32 years of active service. He then settled with his wife in Carlsbad, California, and died on October 25, 2000.^[2][3]

Decorations

A complete list of Kyle's medals and decorations include:^[5]

First Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Wood Barbee Kyle (MCSN: 0-5369), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Executive Officer of the First Battalion, Second Marines, Reinforced, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Matanikau River Sector, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, from 1 November 1942 to 14 January 1943. Refusing to be evacuated when he was wounded in action during the vital offensive operations of his battalion, Major Kyle assumed command of the battalion after the commanding officer had been forced to withdraw as a result of serious wounds, and with keen initiative and aggressive leadership successfully drove through relentless Japanese resistance to capture his objective. In the final assault launched in the same area, Major Kyle further distinguished himself when, by his dauntless courage and expert professional ability, he completed his assigned mission within four hours of its initiation. His exemplary conduct and unswerving devotion to duty throughout the entire active period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.^[5]

Second Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Wood Barbee Kyle (MCSN: 0-5369), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, from 20 to 24 November 1943. Landing with his troops during the initial stages of the fierce hostilities on D-Day, Major Kyle immediately directed his companies in the bitter assault against a fanatic enemy and, despite the extreme danger, personally commanded his men in brilliantly executed attacks against the heavily defended central sector of the island. Assuming control of the remnants of one of the battalions of his regiment the following day, he promptly reorganized the unit for further sustained operations against the strongly entrenched Japanese. By his forceful and inspiring leadership, his daring combat tactics and cool and courageous action in the face of grave peril, Major Kyle contributed materially to the success of our forces in capturing this vital hostile stronghold and his zealous devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.^[5]

See also

• 3rd Marine Division
• 4th Marine Division
• 5th Marine Division
• Buddhist Uprising
• Battle of Guadalcanal
• Battle of Tarawa
• List of 3rd Marine Division Commanders

References

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