Posted on 10/02/2018 12:50:45 PM PDT by Borges
One of only four remaining Medal of Honor winners from WW2.
The last remaining Marine MOH winner from WW2.
The last remaining MOH winner from the Pacific theater of WW2.
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the
MEDAL OF HONOR
to
CORPORAL HERSHEL W. WILLIAMS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
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.[8]
/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN
What the heck, I’ll add a source...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hershel_W._Williams
CMH types are NOT winners. They are recipients. You do not win the CMH.
My apologies.
Yeah, was figuring someone would make that comment.
I was more perturbed about having to look up everything about the original post. :-)
BTW, any idea why he’s both wearing and holding the MOH? Thought one just got the neck band and a ribbon....
Certified badass. Nothing but respect from me!
correct. I was awarded a few medals during my service, I certainly didn’t win them.
Thank you for posting this.
Wow. I got scared just reading it.
Amazing heroism. An ordinary man doing extraordinary things.
I have a great uncle who posthumously received the Silver Star in WWII. I have no idea what for and obviously never knew him, but proud nonetheless.
Walking into a battlefield with a flamethrower takes big brass ones to begin with. Wading into enemy fire with one on your back is off the charts.
Since obtaining the medal is not a contest, there are no “winners.”
It’s hard now to believe that Truman was a Democrat.
IIRC an MOH recipient can request an extra medal. For instance, have one to wear, and another to display in a shadowbox.
Happy birthday, Mr. Williams. Thank you for your service, Sir.
Semper Fi, Corporal. You are a great American..
Not your fault. I recall some 15-16 SF CMH types, especially Bob Howard of FOB 2 (Kontum). He was an SFC (E-7). Bob retired an O-6. I recall he was just one of those men who stood out in SF. We had NCO’s like Bob Howard plus others who this young officer was damn lucky to learn from. I was not at FOB 2 with Bob, but; all of us knew of him. He was written up 3-4 times for a CMH (all separate actions). What a soldier/trooper.
You earned them. Bob Howard was the closest to Audie Murphy I ever knew. I can say I was blessed to serve with such great men. Here is a bio of Bob. This WW II CMH recipient darn sure was quite the hero.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Howard
Ah, thank you!
“Medal of Honor recipients may apply in writing to the headquarters of the service branch of the medal awarded for a replacement or display Medal of Honor, ribbon, and appurtenance (Medal of Honor flag) without charge. Primary next of kin may also do the same and have any questions answered in regard to the Medal of Honor that was awarded.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_Honor
Happy birthday to Cpl. Williams.
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