Did James Woods serve in military? What we know as actor thanks first responders amid Palisade fire

James Woods, a veteran American actor who's been twice nominated for the Academy Awards and is a three-time Emmy winner, is trending on X for providing live updates on the Palisade fire which has also affected his neighborhood.

In a post on X, James Woods thanked the Los Angeles Fire Department and LAPD for their commendable rescue work in containing the ongoing catastrophe. He wrote:

"We were blessed to have LA fire and police depts doing their jobs so well. We are safe and out. There are several elementary schools in our neighborhood and there was an enormous community effort to evacuate the children safely. Can not speak more highly of the LA fire and LAPD."

As James Woods trends on X, here are some things to know about his life. Apart from starring in movies like Salvador (1986), Casino (1995), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), and Hercules, Woods has also served in the US military as a sergeant in the Vietnam War.

Sergeant James O. Woods who was serving the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War, displayed extraordinary bravery on March 22, 1967, near the Cambodian border.

Under heavy enemy fire, Woods encouraged his troops, retrieved first aid supplies from exposed areas, and eliminated enemy soldiers attempting to gain an advantage. After realizing his platoon was cut off, he cleared a path to reconnect with the main unit and safely evacuated wounded soldiers. His heroic actions and leadership in the US military earned him the Distinguished Service Cross for exceptional valor and dedication.

James Woods was born in Vernal, Utah, and later raised in Warwick, Rhode Island. His father, Gail Peyton Woods, served as an Army intelligence officer.

He went on to study political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he joined the Theta Delta Chi fraternity and was an active member of the student theater group “Dramashop.” There, he acted in and directed several plays. However, in 1969, just before graduation, Woods left MIT to pursue acting full-time. He credits Tim Affleck (Ben Affleck’s father), a stage manager at the Theatre Company of Boston, as a major influence in his decision to pursue acting.

James Woods' Palisade fire updates

James Woods, who lives in one of the neighborhoods that's been severely affected by the Palaside fire, shared an update about his neighborhood and safety. He wrote:

"To all the wonderful people who’ve reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned. Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully. I do not know at this moment if our home is still standing, but sadly houses on our little street are not."

Replying to an X user who raised concerns about insurance coverage due to the fire, James Woods wrote:

"Actually one of the major insurances companies canceled all the policies in our neighborhood about four months ago."

In his latest updates, Woods shared that his house may have succumbed to the fire. He wrote:

Trending

"All the smoke detectors are going off in our house and transmitting to our iPhones. I couldn’t believe our lovely little home in the hills held on this long. It feels like losing a loved one."

According to NBC Los Angeles, the Palaside fire has expanded to over 2,900 acres and continues to menace. As strong Santa Ana winds sweep through Los Angeles and across Southern California, the region faces intense gusts, red flag warnings, and an increased risk of fire danger.

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