Honoring the Service of Hershel Williams the Last Living Medal of Honor Recipient of WWII and Hero of Iwo Jima on the Anniversary of his Passing

Honoring the Service of Hershel Williams the Last Living Medal of Honor Recipient of WWII and Hero of Iwo Jima on the Anniversary of his Passing.

Please take a moment to join us in honoring Chief Warrant Officer Four Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams who passed away on June 29, 2022 at the Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center in Huntington West Virginia. Born on October 2, 1923, Williams was 98 years old at the time of his passing.

Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams, of Quiet Dell West Virginia, enlisted with the Civilian Conservation Corps before his 18th birthday. Woody had aspirations of being a Marine. After the Invasion at Pearl Harbor he tried to enlist for active service but was under the age of 18.

Upon reaching his 18th birthday he was then again turned down by not meeting the height requirement. Herschel was only 5'6 tall. After the height regulations were changed, he successfully enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in Charleston, West Virginia, on May 26, 1943.

Woody Williams was assigned to the 32nd Replacement Battalion on October 30, 1943, and left for New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific on December 3 aboard the M.S. Weltey Reden.

In January 1944, he joined Company C, 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division at Guadalcanal. His final action would be served on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945 for which Woody received the Medal of Honor.

After the war Williams returned to West Virginia. He rejoined the Marine Corps Reserve and advanced to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 before being honorably retired in 1969 after approximately 17 years of service. Williams also worked as a Veteran's Affairs Counselor, retiring after 33 years of service.

Hershel Williams continued to serve his Country and Gold Star families through the work of his non-profit organization: The Woody Williams Foundation. Woody continued his honorable work until his passing this past June.

"Mr. Williams’ devotion to duty, service members, veterans and their families began long before that battle and before he entered the Corps. As World War II began, Woody came into direct contact with families in his own community when he delivered Western Union telegrams informing the Gold Star families of the death of their loved one.

Woody says that those experiences gave him a “greater appreciation for life and an understanding of a difference in death in the normal world as expected in life, and those lost serving in the military for their country". He noted that “consideration and recognition of the families of those lost in military service was very inadequate.”

This observation and his personal commitment to veterans and their families brought about the creation of the Woody Williams Foundation. The activities of this foundation allow Mr. Williams to continue his devotion and commitment to those who have served and the Gold Star families who have lost Loved Ones to that service above self."-The Woody Williams Foundation

Please join us at WW II uncovered in honoring the legacy of Woody Williams and his lifetime of service to the United States and the Gold Star Families he so greatly cherished. Rest in peace Woody - you will always be a member of the Greatest Generation. Lest We Forget.

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