Hershel W. Williams
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hershel Woodrow Williams | |
|---|---|
| October 2, 1923 | |
  Hershel W. Williams, Medal of Honor recipient |
|
| Nickname | "Woody" |
| Place of birth | Fairmont, West Virginia |
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Years of service | 1943-1945, 1948-1949, 1954-1969 |
| Rank | Chief Warrant Officer 4 |
| Unit | 1st Battalion 21st Marines |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Medal of Honor (1945) Purple Heart |
| Other work | Veterans Administration Commandant, W.Virginia Veterans Home (1980-1985) |
Hershel Woodrow Williams (born 1923) is a retired United States Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his outstanding heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.
Contents |
[edit] Early years
Hershel Williams was born in Fairmont, West Virginia on 2 October 1923. Prior to his enlistment in the Marine Corps Reserve in Charleston, West Virginia on 26 May 1943, the young man was employed as a truck driver for the W.S. Harr Construction Company of Fairmont. He had also been a taxi driver and worked at other odd jobs.
[edit] Marine Corps service
Private Williams received his recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, upon completion of which he was sent to the Training Center, Camp Elliott, San Diego, where he joined the Tank Battalion on 21 August 1943.
The following month he was transferred to the Infantry Battalion at the Training Center, for training as a demolition man and in the use of the flame thrower. On 30 October 1943, he joined the 32nd Replacement Battalion. He left the United States on board the M.S. Weltey Reden on 3 December 1943 for New Caledonia. In January 1944, Williams joined the 3rd Marine Division at Guadalcanal. He was first attached to Company C, 1st Battalion, 21st Marines, and then to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Marines.
[edit] World War II
During July and August 1944, he participated in action against the Japanese at Guam, and in October he rejoined Company C.
[edit] Medal of Honor actions
His next campaign was at Iwo Jima where he earned the Medal of Honor. Landing on 21 February 1945, Cpl Williams became a distinguished fighting man three days later. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through a network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine gun fire from the unyielding positions.
Covered by only 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.
One occasion saw him daringly mounted on a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flame thrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing the gun. On another, he grimly charged enemy rifleman who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon.
He was wounded in action during the campaign on 6 March 1945, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart.
In September 1945, he returned to the United States, and on the first day of the next month joined Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington. He was presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on 5 October 1945 at the White House.
[edit] Re-enlisted
On 22 October 1945, he was transferred to the Marine Barracks, Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland, for discharge. He was discharged from the Marine Corps Reserve on 6 November 1945. In March 1948, he reenlisted in the inactive Marine Corps Reserve, but was again discharged on 4 August 1949.
On 20 October 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 9 June 1957. He later became the (Interim) Commanding Officer of that unit as a warrant officer on 6 June 1960. He was designated the Mobilization Officer for the 25th Infantry Company and surrounding Huntington area on 11 June 1963.
He was advanced through the enlisted ranks during his time in the reserves until reaching his final rank of chief warrant officer 4. Although CWO4 Williams technically did not meet retirement requirements, he was honorarily retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1969 after approximately 17 years of service.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
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
[edit] Honors
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.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel Woodrow Williams, USMCR, Who's Who in Marine Corps History, History Division, United States Marine Corps.
- Medal of Honor citation
- Woody Williams - Medal of Honor Winner, Marine Corp League and West Virginia Marine Corps Coordinating Council. (URL accessed April 24, 2006)
