Seaman Hood was among 368 crewmen who survived the sinking of the heavy cruiser USS Houston during the Battle of Sunda Strait only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in several prison camps. The Houston was attempting to sail through the narrow strait when just after midnight, she was spotted and surrounded by multiple Japanese warships. Despite intelligence reports that there were no enemy ships in the area, the cruiser found herself in a desperate battle against an entire Japanese battle fleet. The ship was hit by four torpedoes and close-range gunfire until she rolled over and sank. Seaman Hood was eventually liberated by Allied forces and died in 2007. This narrative was researched by National Purple Heart Hall of Honor staff.