Bill Text: WV HCR59 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting the Governor of West Virginia, upon the death of Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams, to hold a celebration of his life memorial service at the West Virginia State Capitol
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 16-5)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-08 - To House Rules [HCR59 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2019-HCR59-Introduced.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 59
(By Delegates Linville, Higginbotham, J. Kelly, Hollen, Azinger, D. Kelly, Westfall, Barrett, Bates, Butler, Criss, Ellington, Graves, Hartman, Hill, Longstreth, Maynard, Rowan, Rowe, Skaff and Storch)
[Introduced February 8, 2019]
Requesting the Governor of West Virginia, upon the death of Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams, West Virginia’s last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, to hold a celebration of his life memorial service at the West Virginia State Capitol.
Whereas, Corporal Hershel “Woody” Williams was born on October 2, 1923, on a dairy farm in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. In October 1945, he married Ruby Meredith, and they had two daughters; and
Whereas, Corporal Williams enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division. During the battle, Corporal Williams displayed “valiant devotion to duty” and service above self as he “enabled his company to reach its objective.” His actions, commitment to his fellow service members, and heroism were recognized on October 5, 1945, when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman at the White House. Corporal Williams is the sole surviving Marine from WWII to wear the Medal of Honor; and
Whereas, Corporal Williams’ Medal of Honor Citation reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, February 23,1945. 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, Cpl. 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 flamethrowers, 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 flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing 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 vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective. Cpl. Williams’ aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service;” and
Whereas, After his discharge in November 1945, Corporal Williams served in the Marine Corps Reserve, retiring in 1969. From 1946 to 1979, he was a counselor with the Veterans Administration, working with veterans from West Virginia; and
Whereas, Devotion to duty, service members, veterans, and their families began long before the battle and before Corporal Williams entered the Corps. As World War II began, he came into direct contact with families in his own community when he delivered Western Union telegrams informing the Gold Star families of the deaths of their loved ones. Corporal Williams says 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.” He noted that “consideration and recognition of the families of those lost in war was very inadequate.” This observation and his personal commitment to veterans and their families led him to help create the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation in 2012; and
Whereas, The activities of this foundation allow Corporal Williams to continue his devotion and commitment to those who have served and the Gold Star families who have lost loved ones. His foundation is focused on honoring Gold Star families and their fallen heroes by establishing Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities in all 50 states, offering scholarships to Gold Star children, sponsoring outreach programs and events, and educating communities about Gold Star families and the sacrifices they have endured; and
Whereas, Corporal Williams also remains active, talking to church, youth, and veterans’ groups, and has penned dozens of resolutions to help veterans and other causes in West Virginia and throughout the United States; and
Whereas, A celebration of life memorial service at the West Virginia State Capitol to be held upon the death of Hershel “Woody” Williams, West Virginia’s last Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, would be a modest token of appreciation for the services he has rendered to this state and country; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the West Virginia Legislature hereby requests the Governor of West Virginia, upon the death of Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams, West Virginia’s last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, to hold a celebration of his life memorial service at the West Virginia State Capitol; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor of West Virginia.
