Hershel "Woody" Williams passed away at 3:15 this morning.
Many do not recognize the name, he is America's last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.
I am honored to say he was also my friend.
He served the Marine Corps for over 20 years then worked for Veterans Affairs Hospitals until he retired from there. Never one to let grass grow under his feet, he started a foundation to serve our Gold Star Families, those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.
He was 5'4" tall and 130 lbs, too short to join the Marine Corps in 1943. Tall enough in 1944.
On the island of Iwo Jima, a chain of pillboxes was blocking the Marines advance. Woody strapped on his 90 lbs flamethrower and with 4 Marine riflemen providing cover, proceeded to knock out 5 (some reports say as many as 7) pillboxes, creating a hole in the Japanese lines which allowed the Marines to break through
2 of those riflemen gave their lives that day, Woody can tell you each one's name.
He was a very humble man and the Chaplin for the Medal of Honor Society
Wonderful interview with Woody
www.thevetsproject.com
This is the Gold Star Family Monument which Woody's foundation builds across the nation. Ours in Frisco.
Woody and I at our dedication
Absent Companions
Semper Fi
Until Vahalla
Woody's citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machinegun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by 4 riflemen, he fought desperately for 4 hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out 1 position after another. On 1 occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon. His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strong points encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective.
Cpl. Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Rank: Corporal
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Company:
Division: 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division
Born: 2 October 1923, Quiet Dell, W. Va.
Departed: No
Entered Service At: West Virginia
G.O. Number:
Date of Issue: 10/05/1945
Accredited To: West Virginia
Place / Date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945
Service arrangements.
Service Arrangements for MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT HERSHEL WOODY WILLIAMS, WWII
Charleston, WV State Capitol
July 2-3, 2022
Itinerary
Saturday Lie In State- Capitol Rotunda in Charleston WV
10am - 6pm
Sunday Lie In State -Capitol Rotunda Charleston WV
10am - 2pm
2pm-4pm Caisson move Woody from Capitol Rotunda directly next door (2 blocks) to WV Culture Center- Charleston
Memorial Service 4pm - 5:15pm
ATTENDING:
Commandant USMC, David Berger
SgtMaj USMC, Troy Black
Governor Jim Justice
Senator Joe Manchin
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Major General USMC Jim Adams (USMC POC)
Dr Chuck Harding - Pastor
Many do not recognize the name, he is America's last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.
I am honored to say he was also my friend.
He served the Marine Corps for over 20 years then worked for Veterans Affairs Hospitals until he retired from there. Never one to let grass grow under his feet, he started a foundation to serve our Gold Star Families, those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.
He was 5'4" tall and 130 lbs, too short to join the Marine Corps in 1943. Tall enough in 1944.
On the island of Iwo Jima, a chain of pillboxes was blocking the Marines advance. Woody strapped on his 90 lbs flamethrower and with 4 Marine riflemen providing cover, proceeded to knock out 5 (some reports say as many as 7) pillboxes, creating a hole in the Japanese lines which allowed the Marines to break through
2 of those riflemen gave their lives that day, Woody can tell you each one's name.
He was a very humble man and the Chaplin for the Medal of Honor Society
Wonderful interview with Woody
The Veterans Project — WO-4 Hershel "Woody" Williams (USMC, WWII Veteran, Medal of Honor Recipient)
Duty. Webster’s Dictionary defines duty as “a moral or legal obligation,” but when this word is put under unfathomable stressors, without undaunted courage, it stands as nothing more than that. It’s simply a word scrawled out on some pages of a book in the reference section of yo
www.thevetsproject.com
This is the Gold Star Family Monument which Woody's foundation builds across the nation. Ours in Frisco.
Woody and I at our dedication
Absent Companions
Semper Fi
Until Vahalla
Woody's citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machinegun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by 4 riflemen, he fought desperately for 4 hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out 1 position after another. On 1 occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon. His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strong points encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective.
Cpl. Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Rank: Corporal
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Company:
Division: 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division
Born: 2 October 1923, Quiet Dell, W. Va.
Departed: No
Entered Service At: West Virginia
G.O. Number:
Date of Issue: 10/05/1945
Accredited To: West Virginia
Place / Date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945
Service arrangements.
Service Arrangements for MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT HERSHEL WOODY WILLIAMS, WWII
Charleston, WV State Capitol
July 2-3, 2022
Itinerary
Saturday Lie In State- Capitol Rotunda in Charleston WV
10am - 6pm
Sunday Lie In State -Capitol Rotunda Charleston WV
10am - 2pm
2pm-4pm Caisson move Woody from Capitol Rotunda directly next door (2 blocks) to WV Culture Center- Charleston
Memorial Service 4pm - 5:15pm
ATTENDING:
Commandant USMC, David Berger
SgtMaj USMC, Troy Black
Governor Jim Justice
Senator Joe Manchin
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Major General USMC Jim Adams (USMC POC)
Dr Chuck Harding - Pastor
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