Hershel “Woody” Williams
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams will add another honor to his resume as the U.S. Navy announced Tuesday it would name a ship in his honor, according to U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
“Naming a ship after Woody is a lifelong tribute to Woody’s brave actions and his dedication to public service,” Manchin said in a release. “Woody embodies the service and sacrifice our great state has given to our nation and this honors not only his legacy but the legacy of West Virginia veterans and their families.”
Manchin petitioned Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to name a ship on Williams’ behalf in a letter on February 26, calling the honor “long overdue.”
The 92-year-old former Marine and Ona resident of 45 years is the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II’s Pacific Theater…