[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 10 (Thursday, January 17, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING HERSCHEL ``WOODY'' WILLIAMS

  (Mrs. MILLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MILLER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Hershel ``Woody'' 
Williams for his service and commitment to the ideals that make our 
Nation great.
  Woody was stationed in the Pacific theater during World War II. A 
young marine, he fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal and in Guam, 
before landing in Iwo Jima on February 21, 1945.
  On the day the flag was raised, Woody's unit was surrounded. Under a 
barrage of enemy fire, Woody charged ahead, flamethrower in hand, 
attacking the enemy and opening a gap in their defenses that enabled 
his fellow marines to forge on. We won.
  For his display of heroism, President Truman awarded Williams the 
Medal of Honor. As part of his ongoing legacy, the U.S. Navy christened 
the USNS Hershel ``Woody'' Williams in 2017, and the VA named their 
Huntington medical facility in his honor. He also flipped the coin at 
the 2018 Super Bowl. What a guy.
  A lifelong West Virginian who resides in Ona, Woody continues to 
advocate for Gold Star families throughout the country. I am proud to 
call Woody a friend, and I thank him for his service.

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