In a July 2 Facebook post, Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull) honored World War II Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams, who died on June 29.
“Today and for the past couple of days I have flown my flag at half-staff to mourn the death and honor the life of the last surviving WWII Medal of Honor Recipient Mr. Hershel “Woody” Williams. I had the distinct honor and privilege to meet Mr. Williams at the 2019 Rock Island Arsenal Army Birthday Ball. Mr. Williams was a true hero and Leader. Rest In Peace and Thank You. How fitting this Independence Day weekend we honor and remember Mr. Williams,” Swanson posted.
President Harry S. Truman presented Williams with the Medal of Honor on Oct. 5, 1945, for his actions on Iwo Jima.
His body will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol, according to an announcement by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. A date and other details will be announced later, Pelosi and Schumer said in a joint statement. “Woody Williams embodied the best of America: living a life of duty, honor and courage,” Pelosi said. Schumer said: “Woody Williams was an American hero who embodied the best of our country and the greatest generation.”
According to the Washington Post, “Mr. Williams was remembered for another act of heroism that day, one for which he received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for valor. Armed with a flamethrower, he braved hours of unremitting enemy fire to take out seven pillboxes where the Japanese had hunkered down to repel the U.S. invasion of the island.”
