[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 24, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 TRIBUTE TO HERSHEL ``WOODY'' WILLIAMS

 Mr. DAINES. Madam President, today I have the honor of 
recognizing a true American hero, Hershel ``Woody'' Williams. Woody is 
a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and recipient of the Congressional 
Medal of Honor for his immense bravery during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 
World War II. Woody is also a former representative of the Veterans 
Administration and founder of the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams Medal of 
Honor Foundation.
  Woody always had a desire to serve his country, and to this day, he 
continues that effort. His initial attempt to enlist in the U.S. Marine 
Corps, at just 17 years old, was derailed by his disapproving mother. 
The following year, he was again denied entry because he did not meet 
the height requirement. However, at the age of 19 and after the height 
requirement had been reduced, Woody finally was able to join the Marine 
Corps and begin a journey that would not only bring honor to his family 
and friends, but to our entire Nation.
  After training as a flame thrower operator, Woody was deployed to the 
Pacific where he fought in the Guadalcanal Campaign and in Guam. On 
February 21, 1945, he landed at Iwo Jima. With the support of just four 
marine gunners, Woody gallantly eliminated pillbox after pillbox, 
successfully reducing heavy machinegun fire to make way for our 
advancing troops. Even though the situation was beyond desperate, he 
continued on, knowing what needed to be done to win and to save the 
lives of his brothers. When the battle concluded, he had eliminated six 
enemy pillboxes.
  That same day, U.S. forces heroically hoisted the American flag on 
top of Mount Suribachi. Woody's bravery was instrumental to the 
military success at Iwo Jima, and his bravery was acknowledged at the 
White House by President Harry Truman on October 5, 1945, with the 
Medal of Honor. In addition to those honors, an Armed Forces Center in 
Woody's hometown of Fairmont, WV, holds his name. The Hershel ``Woody'' 
Williams Armed Forces Reserves Center is the only National Guard 
facility in the country to bear the name of a living marine. Also 
honoring Woody is a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Fairmont, WV, a 
bridge in Barboursville, WV, and an Expeditionary Sea Base Vessel.
  Woody continued to serve his country well after the war, working for 
the Veterans Administration as a veteran service representative for 33 
years out of offices in West Virginia and New Mexico, where he 
continued to serve his military family. After Woody retired in 1979, he 
continued to support veterans through the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams 
Medal of Honor Foundation. This foundation preserves the memory of the 
brave men lost at war, reminding us all of the price that must be paid 
for freedom. His effort to build Gold Star Family Memorials in all 50 
States is also coming to a successful close, with the 50th memorial 
being unveiled in Bozeman, MT, on Memorial Day, 2022.
  It is because of heroes like Woody, that America is known as the land 
of the free and the home of brave. I want to thank you, Mr. Williams, 
for your continued service to our great country and for displaying such 
tremendous courage, not only during times of war, but throughout your 
life.

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