b. 1838 San Francisco, California. d. 23/05/1893 Portsmouth, Virginia.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 14/04/1863 Nansemond River, Virginia.
Woods was born in San Francisco, California, in 1838. He served in the navy as a seaman and was serving temporarily aboard the USS Mount Washington. He earned his medal on board the Washington on the Nansemond River on April 14, 1863. He died on May 23, 1893, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia.
MOH CITATION:
As captain of the gun, served temporarily on board the U.S.S. Mount Washington during the Nansemond River action, 14 April 1863. When one of his comrades was struck by a bullet and knocked overboard, Woods fearlessly jumped into the water and swam after him. Before he reached him, the man sank beneath the surface and Woods promptly swam back to the vessel, went to his gun, and fought it to the close of the action. At the close of the battle, he tirelessly cared for the wounded.
BURIAL LOCATION: OAK GROVE CEMETERY, PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA.
8TH WALK, LOT 347.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
