Who Is The Last Living Medal of Honor Recipient - World War II ?

2021-05-14T09:27:08-04:00

Born October 2nd, 1923 in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. The youngest of eleven children, weighing just 3.5 pounds at birth, he was not expected to survive. Even in his infancy, however, his fighting spirit prevailed and he bloomed into a healthy, young child. At 11 years old, he again, faced adversity when he lost his father to a heart condition. As he grew into his teen years, he worked multiple odd jobs to make ends meet. However, when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, he did what every brave American man wanted to do, join the fight. Only standing at 5 foot 6, at the time, he was considered too short to join the Marines, the branch of service he most desired. He was devastated that he could not join the ranks and fight for his country. So instead, he returned to the new “odd job” of being a taxi driver. It was through this job that he experienced the true reality of the cost of war in an unexpected way; delivering telegrams to notify families that their loved one had died while serving.

In early 1943, height regulations changed, and he was able to successfully enlist in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Upon completion of boot camp, he was assigned to an infantry battalion to specialize in demolition and the use of flamethrowers. During this time, the Marines assigned to the demolition unit received very little instruction and had to train themselves on the flamethrowers as no one knew how to use them.

In the fall of 1943, he was sent to the pacific to embark on a mission to assist in the fighting against Imperial Japan. Proudly serving in the pacific where he saw combat on the islands of Guam and Iwo Jima, he became an experienced war fighter.

It was then in February 1945, the same fighting spirit he had carried with him since birth was put to the ultimate test. 23 February 1945… United States tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry to access, through a network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines and black, volcanic sands. Quick to volunteer his assistance, he 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. He repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flame throwers, in order to return to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On one occasion he courageously mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flame thrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing their gun; on another, he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flames from his weapon. (Medal of Honor Citation)

Who is he?

He is Hershel “Woody” Williams, CWO4 (Ret.) United States Marine Corps, Last Living Medal of Honor Recipient, WWII

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 14 at 2021 9:40 AM

2021-05-14T09:40:01-04:00

Excellent MOH share brother SSgt Private RallyPoint Member

Response by TSgt Michael Brandt made May 14 at 2021 10:22 AM

2021-05-14T10:22:47-04:00

Great sto

Response by TSgt Michael Brandt made May 14 at 2021 10:23 AM

2021-05-14T10:23:24-04:00

Great story

Response by MAJ William Smith made May 14 at 2021 10:36 AM

2021-05-14T10:36:09-04:00

After the war, he worked for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for his career. I met him at a VA event he hosted for MOH recipients in Philadelphia where my wife worked for the VA. He is very kind and very based.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 14 at 2021 10:45 AM

2021-05-14T10:45:27-04:00

So many took the initiative to face the enemy alone to change the dynamics of the battle. They were not ordered to do it, they just did it. Some were officers, NCOs, and some were privates. These heroes would tread where the others feared and watched.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made May 14 at 2021 11:04 AM

2021-05-14T11:04:50-04:00

Great share SSgt Private RallyPoint Member and I bet it was an Honor to have met the last remaining MOH recipient from WWII.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made May 14 at 2021 11:40 AM

2021-05-14T11:40:06-04:00

Excellent MOH share

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made May 14 at 2021 7:17 PM

2021-05-14T19:17:47-04:00

Cool share Brother SSgt Alexander Nauert.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2021 7:28 PM

2021-05-15T19:28:28-04:00

I met this man in the Dallas Airport. He was So humble and kind. Once I got on the plane I looked him up and read his Award citation, what he did was truly heroic.

Response by SP6 M. R. Teeters made May 16 at 2021 6:02 AM

2021-05-16T06:02:59-04:00

With a story like that and a moniker like Woody, he should have come home to a movie deal. I loved growing up watching Audie, Woody would have been a natural. Ooo-Rah, Woody!! Semper Fi, from a grunt brother!!

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made May 16 at 2021 1:12 PM

2021-05-16T13:12:06-04:00

These guys are national treasures.

Response by SPC Terry Page made May 16 at 2021 2:51 PM

2021-05-16T14:51:26-04:00

My Virtual Salute for CWO4 Hershel "Woody" Williams. Semper Fi! ...and thank you for sharing SSgt Private RallyPoint Member

Response by PO3 Scot StClair made May 31 at 2021 7:11 AM

2021-05-31T07:11:07-04:00

Hand Salute, Marine. Hooyaah, from a Navy vet! Thank you, sir!

Response by PO3 Rick Bohan made Jun 24 at 2021 7:55 PM

2021-06-24T19:55:38-04:00

I know Woody from the West Virginia Marine Corps League we are both members of. He is very nice person and fun to talk to.

Response by 1SG Rick Seekman made Jul 13 at 2021 7:23 PM

2021-07-13T19:23:13-04:00

Met him a few years ago at a MOH convention in Louisville, Ky

Response by SSG Paul Newman made Jul 25 at 2021 7:28 PM

2021-07-25T19:28:40-04:00

After 12 yrs. as an Army Medic I became an ER nurse in my hometown of Charleston, WV. I met Woody when at Christmas time he made appearances at local hospitals and shelters (I was playing Santa). He still gives at his advanced age by seeing vets at the Huntington VA Medical Center (which bears his name, now), the Milton Veteran's Home and Shelter, as well as similar facilities in Beckley and Clarksburg. Woody's a soldier's soldier (if our Marine Corps brothers will forgive the expression). His heart is with his comrades always.