FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Hershel W Williams ~ 08 July 2024

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Hershel W. Williams

Info from here.

           

Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams (born October 2, 1923 - died June 29, 2022) is a retired United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

Born in Fairmont, West Virginia, on October 2, 1923, Williams grew up on a dairy farm in nearby Quiet Dell. He worked a series of odd jobs in the area, including as a truck driver for W.S. Harr Construction Company of Fairmont and as a taxi driver. After being turned away once from the U.S. military for being too short, he successfully enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in Charleston, West Virginia, on May 26, 1943

Williams received his recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Upon completion, he was sent to the Camp Elliott training center in San Diego, where he joined the tank training battalion on August 21, 1943. The following month he was transferred to the training center's infantry battalion for instruction as a demolition man and in the use of flamethrowers.

Williams joined the 32nd Replacement Battalion on October 30, 1943, and left for New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific on December 3 aboard the M.S. Weltey Reden. In January 1944, he joined the 3rd Marine Division at Guadalcanal. He was attached to the 1st Battalion, 21st Marines, first to Company C and then to Headquarters Company.

During July and August 1944, he participated in action against the Japanese at Guam, and in October he rejoined Company C.

His next campaign was at Iwo Jima where he distinguished himself with actions "above and beyond the call of duty" for which he would be awarded the Medal ofHonor. Landing on February 21, 1945, Williams, by then a corporal, distinguished himself two days later when American tanks, trying to open a lane for infantry, encountered a network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands. Williams went forward alone with his 70-pound (32 kg) flamethrower to attempt the reduction of devastating machine gun fire from the unyielding positions.

Covered by only four riflemen, he fought 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. He returned to the front, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. At one point, a wisp of smoke alerted him to the air vent of a Japanese bunker, and he approached close enough to put the nozzle of his flamethrower through the hole, killing the occupants. On another occasion, he charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon.

These actions occurred on the same day as the raising of the U.S. flag on the island's Mount Suribachi, although Williams was not able to witness the event. He fought through the remainder of the five-week-long battle and was wounded on March 6, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart.

In September 1945, he returned to the United States, and on the October 1, he joined Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He was presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on October 5, 1945, at the White House.

On October 22, 1945, he was transferred to the Marine Barracks, Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland, for discharge. He was discharged from the Marine Corps Reserve on November 6, 1945. In March 1948, he reenlisted in the inactive Marine Corps Reserve, but was again discharged on August 4, 1949.

On October 20, 1954, he joined the Organized Marine Reserve when the 98th Special Infantry Company was authorized by Marine Corps Headquarters, Clarksburg, West Virginia. He transferred to the 25th Infantry Company in Huntington, West Virginia on June 9, 1957. He later became the (Interim) Commanding Officer of that unit as a warrant officer on June 6, 1960. He was designated the Mobilization Officer for the 25th Infantry Company and surrounding Huntington area on June 11, 1963.

He was advanced through the warrant officer ranks during his time in the Reserves until reaching his final rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO-4). Although CWO-4 Williams technically did not meet retirement requirements, he was honorarily retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1969 after approximately 17 years of service

Williams struggled with the after-effects of combat stress until 1962, when he experienced a religious renewal. He later served as chaplain of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for 35 year

The President of the United States takes pride 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' 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.

/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

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In 1965, Williams received West Virginia's Distinguished Service Medal. In 1967, he was honored by the Veteran's Administration with the Vietnam Service Medal for service as a civilian counselor to the armed forces.

In 1999, he was added to the City of Huntington Foundation's "Wall of Fame".

Named in his honor:

the West Virginia National Guard Armory in Fairmont, West Virginia;
a bridge at Barboursville, West Virginia; and
an athletic field at Huntington, West Virginia.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[PROCON]

Hi Kathy, thanks for tonight’s Canteen and for honoring our Hero!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Pro...all rested and ready for a new week of relaxing?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...the weather still being an issue for you and Blue?

Hope it gets better soon.

[PROCON]

All ready for the new week, Kathy, did you get some time off this long weekend?

[left that other site]

I hope so too. I hardly went out today, it was so oppressive.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Hershel W Williams ~

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks...I did get some time to myself on Saturday.

Filing is underway...LOL!!

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy! Hope you had a nice 7/4.

[Redleg Duke]

For whatever it is worth, today is the 60th Anniversary of my enlistment.

Thirty-two years and change they, with great relief, threw my worthless ass out and into gray zone retirement.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[luvie]

Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams
October 2, 1923 - died June 29, 2022
Retired United States Marine
and Medal of Honor recipient
for his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima
during World War II.
God rest the soul of this brave hero!

[Theophilus]

Praise God Almighty for servant warriors like Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams courageously fighting hard for weeks and weeks when at any second he faced an agonizing infernal death! And knew very well what it would be like to die that way because he delivered to our screaming mortal enemies again and again and again.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Have you managed to accomplish as much as you hoped to this weekend?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mooch...my 4th was very quiet until the fireworks. Problem is so many are shot off too early (and they are illegal in the city and most surrounding areas). Sunset isn’t until 11:30p

Hope you enjoyed yours.

[The Mayor]

July 8

Serving Jesus

Bible in a Year :

• Job 36-37
• Acts 15:22-41

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

Matthew 25:39

In the early 1800s, Elizabeth Fry was appalled by the conditions in a London women’s prison. Women and their children were crowded together and made to sleep on the cold stone floors. Although they weren’t given bedding, a tap flowed with gin. For years, she visited the prison and ushered in change by providing clothes, opening a school, and teaching the Bible. But many saw her biggest influence as her loving presence and clear messages of hope.

In her actions, she followed Jesus’ invitation to serve those in need. For instance, while on the Mount of Olives, Christ shared several stories about the end of the age, including one about the welcome of “the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). In this story, the King tells the righteous people that they gave Him something to drink, invited Him in, and visited Him in prison (vv. 35-36). When they couldn’t recall doing so, the King responds: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (v. 40).

What a wonder that when we serve others with the help of the Holy Spirit, we serve Jesus! We can follow Elizabeth Fry’s example, and we can also serve from home, such as through intercessory prayer or sending encouraging messages. Jesus welcomes us to love Him as we use our spiritual gifts and talents to assist others.

Reflect & Pray

How do you react to hearing that we serve Jesus when we serve others? How could you reach out to someone in need?

Loving Jesus, please help me discern where I can put my love into action today.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Was it as toasty as they predicted today?
It was toasty here and the air was thick. Our whole forecast has changed for the next week and it’s going to be a hot one. Again. *sigh*

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

It sure was hot. 100 and skin-scorching. Tomorrow’s high is supposed to be only 89, so I’m looking forward to that.

Sounds like you have some really nasty weather coming, too. Hope you get some rain from Beryl. I hope that will cool things down for ya.

We probably won’t. But it has ramped back up to about a Cat 1 right now just as it’s beginning to come onshore in Sargent, TX.