Hershel "Woody" Williams WV Veterans Legacy Project WWII Interview "Medal of Honor"

Hershel "Woody" Williams was born on October 2, 1923 in Marion County's Quiet Dell, WV. Mr. Williams was raised on his family's farm, which was about seven miles outside of Fairmont, WV. He joined the Marines, when he was 19 years old, served from May of 1943 to November of 1945, and spent about 17 years in the Marine Corps Reserve. Because of overcrowding issues at Paris Island during WWII, he attended his basic training at San Diego, California. Williams earned a Purple Heart and the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award, during his actions, as a demolition specialist, at the Battle of Iwo Jima, during WWII. President Truman personally presented the Medal of Honor to Williams on October 5, 1945. After WWII, Williams took a job with the Department of Veterans Affairs and spent 33 years there until retirement. An armory in Fairmont, WV, a bridge in Barboursville, WV, and an athletic field in Huntington, WV were all dedicated to Woody Williams. He has spent his retirement at Ona, WV and has always called West Virginia his home.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• World War II
• Marines
• Medal of Honor
• Iwo Jima
• flame thrower
• South Pacific
• Oral
• history
• United States Marine Corps
• Military

[8691man]

If I had the accomplishments this guy had...I would be content with my life. What a heroic and brave soul. Hats off to you sir. You truly know what it means to sacrifice. I could never understand what it was like, but can imagine that it was quite something out there. So if I could, I would shake your hand. :)