The
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
and the
WEST VIRGINIA MARINE CORPS COORDINATING COUNCIL
3rd Marines
are requesting your help in a campaign to get a U.S.
Navy ship named in honor of Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams. Woody is
West Virginia's last living Medal of Honor recipient. He received the Medal of Honor
for his heroic actions "above and beyond the call of duty" on Iwo Jima in 1945.
For more information, email:
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Born October 2, 1923
Quiet Dell, Marion Co., West Virginia
Married to Ruby Dale Meredith of Fairmont, WV, two children, Travie Jane and Tracle Jean -- daughters, & 5 grandsons, one of which served in Desert Storm.
Retired Commandant of the W.Va. Veterans Home at Barboursville, WV, appointed
as the first Commandant in 1980 - served until June 1985.
Also retired as Veterans Services Officer, United States Veterans Administration, January
1978 after 33 years of serving veterans.
Served in United States Marines from May 27, 1943 to
November 6, 1945. Was in combat on Guam and Iwo Jima. Wounded March 6, 1945 on Iwo
Jima. Received the Purple Heart. On October 5, 1945 at Washington, D.C. was awarded
the Congressional Medal of Honor by Harry S. Truman, President of the United States, for
action on Iwo Jima. Belongs to all major veterans groups and holds the position of
National Chaplain of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States.
Retired as commissioned warrant officer of the Marine Corps. Received West Virginia's Distinguished Service Medal in 1965. Received the Veteran's Administration Vietnam Service Medal in 1967 for service as a civilian counselor to the armed forces. The WV National Guard Armory at Fairmont, WV, a bridge at Barboursville, WV and an athletic field at Huntington, WV are named in his honor. Selected for City of Huntington Foundation's "Wall of Fame" in 1999.
For 27 years operated a boarding and training barn for horses at Ona, WV with his wife, Ruby, and his grandson Todd Lee Graham. Active in his church, community and veterans' organizations. Inducted into the City of Huntington's "Wall of Fame" in 1999.
Hershel "Woody" Williams
Then and Today.
What is the Medal Of Honor ?
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which
can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.
Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in
the name of Congress, it is often called the Congressional
Medal of Honor.
How HERSHEL "WOODY" WOODROW WILLIAMS earned this highest honor
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine
Corps Reserve, 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division.
Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945.
Entered service at: West Virginia.
Born: 2 October 1923, Quiet Dell, W. Va.
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Cpl HERSHEL W. WILLIAMS Medal of Honor 1945 1/21/3 Iwo Jima |
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
CORPORAL HERSHEL W. WILLIAMS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following
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 First Battalion, Twenty-First
Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima,
Volcano Island, 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, Corporal Williams daringly
went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine-gun fire from the
unyielding positions. Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately for four
hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines
to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flame throwers, struggling back,
frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On
one occasion he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flame thrower
through the air vent, kill the occupants and silence 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
in enabling his company to reach its' objective. Corporal Williams' aggressive fighting
spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and
enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN
Only thing that is holding the © is the photographs of Mr. Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams, The Picture of the Medal Of Honor We do not claim© on that photograph.
Photographs are used with permission from Mr. Hershel Woodrow "Woody"
Williams.
Please do not copy for use on other web sites
without Written permission.
This will constitute copyright violations and theft.
© 1997,1998.1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006 ©
Our thanks to Sgt. Grit's Marine Specialties. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For the Eagle
Globe and Anchor Sprite
and the Java Script for it, Not to be used with out Permission.
A few of Woody's favorite links on the net
