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| Photo Credit: AP. |
The last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient would lie at the U.S. Capitol Thursday afternoon. Hershel W. “Woody” Williams died at the age of 98 on June 29.
His service will
be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial on the
National Mall.
Williams who
was a young Marine corporal during the Second World War went ahead of his unit
during the Battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific Ocean in February 1945 and
eliminated a series of Japanese machine gun positions, according to The
Associated Press.
Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for military valor, from President Harry Truman at the White House the following year after his feat.
He
was 22 at the time.
"For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond
the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d
Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano
Islands, 23 February 1945," his Medal of Honor citation reads, Washington
Examiner reports. "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, Cpl.
Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating
machinegun fire from the unyielding positions."
He served
the Marines for two decades and spent another 33 years working for the Veterans
Administration, according to Washington Examiner.