Hershel W. “Woody” Williams, the last remaining Medal of Honor recipient from World War II died Wednesday. He was 98. He is the one whose heroics under fire over several crucial hours at the Battle of Iwo Jima made him a legend in his native West Virginia. Williams’ foundation announced on Twitter and Facebook that he died at the Veterans Affairs medical center bearing his name in Huntington.
“Today, America lost not just a valiant Marine and a Medal of Honor recipient, but an important link to our Nation’s fight against tyranny in the Second World War,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. “I hope every American will pause to reflect on his service and that of an entire generation that sacrificed so much to defend the cause of freedom and democracy.”
More about Williams
As a young Marine corporal, Williams went ahead of his unit in February 1945 and eliminated a series of Japanese machine-gun positions. Later that year, at age 22, Williams received the nation’s highest award for military valor, the Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman at the White House.
“For me, receiving the Medal of Honor was actually the lifesaver because it forced me to talk about the experiences that I had, which was a therapy that I didn’t even know I was doing,” Williams said during a 2018 Boy Scouts recognition ceremony in Fairmont, according to the Times West Virginian.
Iwo Jima was where Marines erected the American flag on Mount Suribachi, a moment captured in one of the most iconic war photographs in history. Williams said he saw the flag from a distance after it went up as troops around him celebrated.
Williams’ actions in the battle to clear the way for American tanks and infantry were detailed on the military’s Medal of Honor website: He was “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. This heroic man daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machinegun fire from the unyielding positions.”
Williams remained in the Marines after the war, serving a total of 20 years
Facing small-arms fire, Williams fought for four hours, repeatedly returning to prepare demolition charges and obtain flamethrowers. “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. It aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective,” the website said.
Williams remained in the Marines after the war; serving a total of 20 years before working for the Veterans Administration for 33 years as a veterans service representative.