Last Living WWII Medal of Honor Recipient Passes Away

Today is a sad day.

Today, the world is without one of the most amazing heroes of the World War II era.

Hershel “Woody” Williams has passed away.

Williams was the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.

Fought Desperately

Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor at a time when it was a rare feat indeed for the recipient to still be alive to wear the ribbon.

Williams was a Marine with the 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division, fighting at Iowa Jima, Volcano Islands where he earned the Medal of Honor.

A corporal at the time, he advanced on enemy positions with only four men covering him.

He did this for four hours, moving forward, setting charges and using flamethrowers, destroying a position, returning back to his lines for more supplies, then doing it all over again.

Position after position fell at his hands that day.

The citation states, “On one occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants, and silencing 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 strongpoints encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective.”

There is wartime bravery, then there is what Williams did, which is why he wore the Medal of Honor…

We don’t have many WWII veterans still walking this earth, and Williams is the last of the rarest breed of them.

Rest in peace, Woody, and thank you for your service.

Source: Daily Caller

 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Sign Up for Daily Newsletter

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive breaking news updates emails from: Breaking News Digest, LLC, 299 Monroe Ave., Suite 2406, Roanoke, TX, 76262, US, https://www.Breaking News Digest.com/. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the link, found at the bottom of every email. 

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS

CONGRESSIONAL NEWS

GOP CHAIR TWEETS

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

MILITARY NEWS

VIDEOS & QUICK READS