Hershel “Woody” Williams and other Medal of Honor recipients are getting their permanent due in Washington.
The U.S. House of Representatives, in a rare manner of bipartisanship, unanimously passed S.858, the “Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act.” It is named after the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient and would situate the new monument near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The legislation, initially introduced by Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.V.) and which still requires the signing of President Donald Trump, authorizes the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall “to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.”
No federal funding will go towards this monument. The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is responsible for all fundraising.
Williams’ Rich Legacy Set an Example for Americans
Williams was born on a dairy farm in 1923 in Quiet Dell, W.V., and later enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
But even before ever seeing the battlefield, he was active at the inception of World War II—delivering Western Union telegrams informing Gold Star families of the deaths of their loved ones.
According to the Woody Williams Foundation that bears his name, he always said that those experiences gave him a “greater appreciation for life and an understanding of a difference in death in the normal world as expected in life, and those lost serving in the military for their country.”
The foundation was actually instituted due to Williams feeling like families who lost members during service received “inadequate” consideration.
He later served in the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division. During the battle, according to the Woody Williams Foundation, he displayed “valiant devotion to duty” and service above self as he “enabled his company to reach its objective.”
Monument’s Approval a ‘Tireless’ Effort
Williams’ actions, commitment to his fellow service members, and heroism were recognized on Oct. 5, 1945, when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman at the White House.
“After years of tireless effort by so many, we are thrilled that the National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act is finally headed to President Trump for his signature,” Cory Crowley, National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation executive vice president, said in a statement on Monday shared with Military.com.
Crowley thanked Reps. Blake Moore and Marc Veasey for their “tireless advocacy,” as well as House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise for their leadership. He called Justice “a true champion for this legislation.”
“I cannot wait to see this bill signed into law and move forward with this important tribute to those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” he added. “Their example shows us the path toward a better future for our nation and its people.
“This monument will be the perfect complement to the National Medal of Honor Museum which opened last year in Arlington, Texas to tell the stories of these great Americans and was named the Best New Museum in the country.”
Williams, Chief Warrant Officer 4, died June 29, 2022, leaving one final message for all to realize the cause is bigger than themselves.
To date, Woody’s foundation is responsible for establishing 159 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments across the United States with more than 44 additional monuments underway in 50 states and one U.S. territory.
