Last living WWII Medal of Honor recipient, Woody Williams, passes away

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Last living WWII Medal of Honor recipient, Woody Williams, passes away

Williams died Wednesday morning surrounded by his family at the VA Medical Center which bears his name
June 29, 2022 Erica Bivens
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient has passed away.

According to the Woody Williams Foundation, a nonprofit focused on the mission of honoring, recognizing, and serving Gold Star Families and the legacy of their loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, Williams passed away at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, surrounded by his family at the VA Medical Center which bears his name. The medical center is located in Huntington, West Virginia.

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton sharing condolences on social media saying in part, “I’m saddened to hear of the death of Hershel “Woody” Williams … the last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, fighting in the Battle of Iwo Jima, and has a U.S. Navy warship named in his honor.” Gorton went on to say, “Thanks to the support of the Woody Williams Foundation, Mr. Williams visited Lexington for the dedication of our Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Veterans Park in 2017. Join me in keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman shared condolences as well, saying in part, “Our country lost a hero in the passing of Woody Williams, America’s last World War II Medal of Honor recipient. In May, I was honored to attend the dedication of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Northern Kentucky made possible by the @WWFoundation.” Coleman added, “Not only did Woody serve our country, he also made it a priority to honor and recognize the brave heroes and their families who provide us the freedoms we have as Americans. Woody’s legacy will live on – and thanks to his work, so will the legacy of so many others.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced for the 98-year-old.

Williams was in the hospital in his home state of West Virginia, according to a post shared Monday by the foundation.

According to a post shared by the foundation, “Woody’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude for all of the love and support. They would also like to share that Woody’s wish is that people continue to carry on his mission.”

All correspondence and condolences may be sent to the Woody Williams Foundation via email at contact@woodywilliams.org or via mail at:

Woody Williams Foundation 12123 Shelbyville Rd.
Suite 100
Louisville, KY 40243





Williams Earlier
Source: Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center

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Woody Williams remembers Iwo Jima

https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/58427/wood ... -iwo-jima/

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Last living WWII Medal of Honor recipient, Woody Williams, passes away

Williams died Wednesday morning surrounded by his family at the VA Medical Center which bears his name
June 29, 2022 Erica Bivens
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient has passed away.

According to the Woody Williams Foundation, a nonprofit focused on the mission of honoring, recognizing, and serving Gold Star Families and the legacy of their loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, Williams passed away at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, surrounded by his family at the VA Medical Center which bears his name. The medical center is located in Huntington, West Virginia.

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton sharing condolences on social media saying in part, “I’m saddened to hear of the death of Hershel “Woody” Williams … the last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, fighting in the Battle of Iwo Jima, and has a U.S. Navy warship named in his honor.” Gorton went on to say, “Thanks to the support of the Woody Williams Foundation, Mr. Williams visited Lexington for the dedication of our Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Veterans Park in 2017. Join me in keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman shared condolences as well, saying in part, “Our country lost a hero in the passing of Woody Williams, America’s last World War II Medal of Honor recipient. In May, I was honored to attend the dedication of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Northern Kentucky made possible by the @WWFoundation.” Coleman added, “Not only did Woody serve our country, he also made it a priority to honor and recognize the brave heroes and their families who provide us the freedoms we have as Americans. Woody’s legacy will live on – and thanks to his work, so will the legacy of so many others.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced for the 98-year-old.

Williams was in the hospital in his home state of West Virginia, according to a post shared Monday by the foundation.

According to a post shared by the foundation, “Woody’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude for all of the love and support. They would also like to share that Woody’s wish is that people continue to carry on his mission.”

All correspondence and condolences may be sent to the Woody Williams Foundation via email at contact@woodywilliams.org or via mail at:

Woody Williams Foundation 12123 Shelbyville Rd.
Suite 100
Louisville, KY 40243





Williams Earlier
Source: Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center

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Thanks for sharing this article, Chuck. A very good read especially coming up near our Independence Day next week. Does it list his rank? I couldn't find it in the article.

"Thank you for your service Woody. You are in heaven waiting for other WWII veterans."

[The Rock]

Here is the citation for the MOH:

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' [sic] 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.[10]