Nov 14 2020
The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
WASHINGTON — The body of Hershel “Woody” Williams, the West Virginia Marine who won a Medal of Honor in World War II and became an advocate for veterans and their families in the decades that followed, will lie in honor Thursday at the U.S. Capitol.
West Virginia’s Congressional delegation — consisting of U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito and Reps. David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Carol Miller — made the announcement last week that Williams’ body would lie in the Capitol Rotunda from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.
Manchin and Capito will discuss Williams’ life and legacy on the Senate floor at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Their remarks can be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/dJCsKeUaCVY.
On Thursday, the lying in honor ceremony can be viewed online at https://youtu.be/7-o-fKZbZcw.
A public wreath-laying at the World War II Memorial will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/f6yscn5Kbkw.
Williams died at the age of 98 on June 29 in the Huntington-area VA medical center bearing his name.
He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry as a U.S. Marine during the Battle of Iwo Jima where, armed with a flame thrower, he destroyed a series of enemy emplacements on Feb. 23, 1945. His namesake foundation led the way in establishing Gold Star Family Memorial Monuments around the country to honor families who lost loved ones in military service.
Williams was a familiar presence in the Mid-Ohio Valley, speaking at veterans events and helping place monuments in Vienna, Marietta and Parkersburg.