Vietnam War Wood Barbee Kyle (March 3, 1915 – October 25, 2000) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general.

[1] 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.

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.

[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.

[1][7] 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.

[1] In June 1949, Kyle was ordered to Washington, D.C., and appointed executive officer of Division of Reserve, Headquarters Marine Corps under Major General Merwin H. Silverthorn.

[8][1] Kyle was transferred to the staff of Amphibious Training Command, Atlantic Fleet at Little Creek Base, Virginia in June 1952 as served as operations officer until August 1954.

[2] Kyle was ordered to Paris, France, in June 1958 and was appointed Chief of Joint Plans Branch, Operations Division, Headquarters United States European Command under General Lauris Norstad.

[2][1] After almost three years as deputy chief of staff for research and development, Kyle was promoted to the rank of major general in March 1966 and ordered to South Vietnam.

[2][3] A complete list of Kyle's medals and decorations include:[5] 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.

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.

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.