​ Congress Honors WWII Hero Of Iwo Jima With Ultimate Salute

Congress honors WWII hero of Iwo Jima with ultimate salute

The flag-draped casket begetting the remains of Hershel W. "Woody" Williams is carried past joint service members into the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, July fourteen, 2022 in Washington, to prevarication in honor. Williams, the last remaining Medal of Honor recipient from World State of war II, died at age 98.
(Al Drago/Puddle Photo via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress gave its ultimate final salute Thursday to Hershel Due west. "Woody" Williams, a v-foot-6 "force of nature'" in the battle of Iwo Jima and the terminal remaining Medal of Laurels recipient from World War II.

77 years later his wartime heroism, Williams, who died last month at historic period 98, lay in honor in the U.Southward. Capitol Rotunda, a tribute reserved for the nation'south most distinguished private citizens. Simply half dozen others have received the honour: civil rights icon Rosa Parks, the Rev. Billy Graham and four Capitol law officers.

Just 21, Williams was a Marine corporal when U.South. forces came ashore on the strategic Japanese island in early 1945. Williams moved ahead of his unit of measurement and eliminated a series of Japanese machine gun positions. Facing small-arms fire, he fought for four hours, repeatedly returning to prepare demolition charges and obtain flamethrowers. President Harry Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor, the military'due south highest decoration, afterwards that twelvemonth.

Just the new tribute to Williams was about more than than his bravery in combat service. It served every bit recognition for a generation of heroes, now dwindling in numbers, who fought in World War Two. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said Williams wanted Th's anniversary as a way to recognize every Medal of Honor recipient from that state of war.

"With Woody's passing, we have lost a securely selfless American and a vital link to our nation'south greatest generation," Firm Speaker Nancy Pelosi said during Thursday's anniversary.

Pelosi said Williams was far from the biggest Marine, standing merely 5-pes-half-dozen and weighing in at 130 pounds, "yet he was a force of nature on the battlefield." She said he singlehandedly destroyed seven enemy positions, and that Truman said he acted with "unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism."

Lawmakers accept lauded Williams throughout the week, marveling at his youth during his actions at Iwo Jima. They also hailed his public service following his military career, which included establishing a foundation that works with local stakeholders to create monuments for Gold Star families of the fallen throughout the country.

Sen. Mitch McConnell recalled meeting Williams at one such anniversary in Owensboro, Ky.

"By that point, he'd been giving back to his beloved land for 77 years," McConnell said. "And so, needless to say, Woody'due south service leaves the states a rich legacy."

Williams was well known in his native West Virginia. In 2018, a Huntington, Va., medical center was renamed in his award, and the Navy commissioned a mobile base sea vessel in his name in 2020.

The state's two senators took the Senate floor Midweek to remember him. Democrat Joe Manchin called him the "greatest of the greatest generation." Republican Shelley Moore Capito recalled his humility, maxim that when Truman presented him with the Medal of Honour, Williams remembered asking himself why he was selected for the nation's highest war machine honor when Marines right abreast him did not make it dwelling house.

"That shows you the kind of man that Woody Williams was, ever putting his state and his comrades outset and never concerned with who got the credit," Capito said.

Source: https://www.newscenter1.tv/congress-honors-wwii-hero-of-iwo-jima-with-ultimate-salute/

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