Hershel Woody Williams, CWO4, U.S. Marine Corps
Hershel “Woody” Williams was born in Quiet Dell, a small community in Eastern Marion County, where his parents ran a dairy farm. He dropped out of high school during the Great Depression to take a job with the Civilian Conservation Corps to help provide for his family in those difficult times.
The attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in 1945 thrust the nation into a war that it had been trying to avoid. William’s two brothers were in the Army, but his mind was set on being a Marine. (Open Source photo/video of the attack).
At seventeen years old and only five foot, eight inches tall, he was too young and short to join. However, as the war progressed, the Marines loosened their height requirements. He was finally able to enlist in 1943 and was assigned to the 3rd Division, 21st Marines.
In February 1945, Williams’ division arrived in Guam. The island had been heavily fortified with artillery, anti-tank emplacements, interconnected tunnels, and machine pillboxes. These pillboxes provided the enemy with a significant firing arc while protecting them from fire (footage of Guam).
Because of these fortifications, the assault stalled. Many Marines lost their lives, and the tanks and other armored vehicles could not advance. Williams, accompanied by four other Marines who would provide covering fire, equipped a flame thrower and demolition charges and attacked the enemy fortifications. All the while, smoke from his attacks announced his position to enemy artillery and machine gun crews.
Williams returned to rearm and refuel five times over the next four hours. He was wounded, and two of the marines with him were killed. His actions, and those of the other four marines, saved many American lives. With the enemy’s defenses eliminated, the Marines could once again advance. The following is his award citation for the Medal of Honor:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Demolition Sergeant serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Island, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines and black, volcanic sands, Corporal Williams 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 and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flame throwers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On one occasion he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flame thrower through the air vent, kill the occupants and silence 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 strong points encountered by his regiment and aided in enabling his company to reach its' [sic] objective. Corporal Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Williams received the Purple Heart in recognition of his injuries. President Harry S. Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor. Williams continued to serve after World War II as a Marine Corps Reservist, retiring as a CWO4.
As if he did not consider his service in the Marine Corps enough, Williams joined the federal VA as a Veteran Service Representative, helping to connect veterans with the benefits they earned during their service. He retired after 30 years with the VA.
Williams was a vocal supporter of developing the Veterans Home in Barboursville to provide a safe and comfortable home for veterans in need. After the facility opened, Williams served as its first Administrator.
Williams also developed the Woody Williams Foundation, whose mission is to educate U.S. citizens about the sacrifices that Gold Star Families have made. They have installed 132 Gold Star Families monuments, with at least one in each of the fifty states.
Woody Williams was a true son of West Virginia and a true national hero, among the greatest of the greatest generation. His life of service is an inspiration to every American. His legacy will endure for generations