Last Surviving WWII Medal of Honor Recipient has passed.

[Augie81]

Hershel Woodrow Williams passed away today at the age of 98. He was the last surviving WWII Medal of Honor recipient.

Copy and paste of his citation from his Wikipedia page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hershel_W._Williams

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.

Quotes from a news article:

America's 63 living Medal of Honor recipients honored Williams in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Friends and family of Woody Williams knew him as a West Virginia farmer’s son and the youngest of 11 children who dutifully supported his family after his father died," they wrote in a statement through the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. "Fellow Marines knew him as the corporal who volunteered for a mission on Iwo Jima to clear a lane through enemy pillboxes that were destroying American tanks."

"Veterans in West Virginia knew him as their advocate through his work as a Veterans Service Representative. Gold Star families knew Woody through his work raising money for scholarships and other programs through the Woody Williams Foundation," they continued. "We, his fellow Medal of Honor Recipients, knew him as our friend and one of our heroes. We will miss him greatly."

It seems his service to others continued well beyond his military service. May he rest in peace.

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[Sharky]

?? RIP Mr Williams

 

[Ranger_Pawl]

Almost sound like the movie Sands of Iwo Jima was based on him. What a hero. Semper Fi.

 

[wanted33]

RIP soldier, job well done.

 

[Wytchdctr]

Didn't know until now the last surviving WWII Medal of Honor recipient was a fellow Warrant Officer.

Rest in Peace Marine.

 

[Bob902]

Til Valhalla, my brother ??

 

[SigOris]

Named a ship in his honor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Hershel_"Woody"_Williams

 

[AdamHarris]

That is remarkable. The last civil war veteran passed away in 1959, let that sink in.

 

[BS67]

RIP Mr Williams. Thank You for your service!

"I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom." -Abraham Lincoln

 

[Bob902]

RIP Mr Williams. Thank You for your service!

"I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom." -Abraham Lincoln

One of my favorite quotes.

 

[BS67]

One of my favorite quotes.

Mine too!

 

[ROBERTECOX]

OORAH, Gunner!

 

[9zero1790]

heard this on the radio yesterday. sad to see the last of my grandads generation go. i hope they all rest in peace, they earned it much more than i.

 

[wetidlerjr]

Semper Fi, Marine. “Fair Winds and Following Seas”
?

 

[GregM]

GOD Speed My Brother

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