ABNAK
08-22-16, 08:30
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hershel_W._Williams
Wife and I went to the annual D-Day re-enactment in Conneaut, OH over the weekend. Largest one in the U.S. Pretty cool.....I'm gathering pics to make another thread later.
At any rate, my father-in-law's 65th Infantry Division reunion was also held near there so all the vets went to the D-Day event. Obviously there were a lot of other WWII vets in attendance. One such gentleman was Hershel Williams. He gave a talk to the crowd, which was mostly WWII vets and their families who gathered under the reception tent to hear him. The guy is 93yo but you'd never know it from the way he spoke. Sharp as a tack.
He was awarded the MoH for actions on Iwo Jima. Read his citation, it's pretty awe inspiring. He's also the last surviving MoH recipient from Iwo, and one of only a handful still alive from WWII period. I stood in a long line after he spoke to shake his hand. Told him it was an honor to be able to do so, and it truly was. I've never actually met a MoH recipient, let alone shake the man's hand.
Had to laugh......one of the guys who waited to meet him was an Army Infantry vet from the European Theater. Now this dude was ancient too mind you! He told Mr. Williams "For island hopping you Marines were perfect. When they wanted a continent they sent the Army". ZING!!! The whole crowd within earshot kind of gasped, but it was a good-natured jab and Mr. Williams took it as such and laughed heartily.
I am so glad I had the honor and privilege to meet this true hero. The MoH isn't given for just any combat action:
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.
Wife and I went to the annual D-Day re-enactment in Conneaut, OH over the weekend. Largest one in the U.S. Pretty cool.....I'm gathering pics to make another thread later.
At any rate, my father-in-law's 65th Infantry Division reunion was also held near there so all the vets went to the D-Day event. Obviously there were a lot of other WWII vets in attendance. One such gentleman was Hershel Williams. He gave a talk to the crowd, which was mostly WWII vets and their families who gathered under the reception tent to hear him. The guy is 93yo but you'd never know it from the way he spoke. Sharp as a tack.
He was awarded the MoH for actions on Iwo Jima. Read his citation, it's pretty awe inspiring. He's also the last surviving MoH recipient from Iwo, and one of only a handful still alive from WWII period. I stood in a long line after he spoke to shake his hand. Told him it was an honor to be able to do so, and it truly was. I've never actually met a MoH recipient, let alone shake the man's hand.
Had to laugh......one of the guys who waited to meet him was an Army Infantry vet from the European Theater. Now this dude was ancient too mind you! He told Mr. Williams "For island hopping you Marines were perfect. When they wanted a continent they sent the Army". ZING!!! The whole crowd within earshot kind of gasped, but it was a good-natured jab and Mr. Williams took it as such and laughed heartily.
I am so glad I had the honor and privilege to meet this true hero. The MoH isn't given for just any combat action:
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.