Medal of Honor Story: Hershel “Woody” Williams

Retired Marine talks about growing up in rural West Virginia, fighting in Iwo Jima and receiving the Medal of Honor.

[@scubachaz1]

Amazing man. He’s the only surviving US Marine Corp Medal of Honor recipient from WWII. Also was wounded on Iwo Jima and received a Purple Heart. How could ANYONE down vote this amazing man?

[@lauradietz3156]

Woody finally found out the names of the two marines who were his cover, who died on Iwo Jima allowing him to do his job. He is a Methodist minister, who came from a family like most in WWII who had nothing to give but their lives!!! Be joyful that these men did what they did to defend our values. He is the last of 3 MOH recipients still alive from WWII....amazing!!!!

[@GM8101PHX]

I am amazed at this man. So very humble and kind. Course I would Not want to be on receiving end of his flame thrower!! I am a veteran who stands and salutes this Hero!! I also take example from him to love my USA more. We are in the best country on the face of earth. I also am very pleased that he is a minister of the word of God as I too am a believer of Jesus Christ!!! Medal of Honor recipients are afforded privileges that normal service men or women. It is strongly encouraged that all officers and enlisted salute the bearer first! Normally enlisted offers a salute to the officer before them, then the officer salutes. This is a form of greeting for all military branches. They are invited to the President's State of Union address as is deserving. There are other honors that I am not well versed, so I covered those I was versed with.

[@brokentreeusauka1891]

I had the honor of meeting this great man in West Virginia. I was in charge of relocating a historic cemetery when I was told that he would be coming by. I'll never forget our first conversation. He was going to be giving a talk to a Boy Scout Troop and wanted to talk about the cemetery. He said to me, "I'm going to be talking to the Boy Scouts soon about what you are doing here. Please go slow because I'm kind of dumb and don't want to miss anything." He wasn't dumb at all and he never took notes, that's how smart he is. I cherish this memory.

[@pipperxxx]

My father was a medic/corpsman with the expeditionary force Landing force Stayed on the front lines for the battle, then the cleanup after the battle. 27 landings 9 major invasions/ 2 with army 11 bronze stars, because an officer needed to witness for any medal higher, never fought on the front lines. His last was Iwo Jima. God bless all you HEROES.

[@smn475]

Seriously one of the baddest men to have ever lived.

[@theangrykorean5194]

it's absolutely endearing and enriching to hear his absolute candor with his thoughts and misunderstandings of what the war meant to him. this man is one of the best of a fading breed of men that the world hasn't seen again in quite some time. thank you for your service and thank you for sharing this story.

[@killerkane1957]

We could use a whole regiment like him today. RIP Woody.

[@styldsteel1]

I feel so insignificant.

[@tvormwald]

What a Great man like my Father that served with the 9th Defense Battalion, 1st Marine Division, on Guadalcanal in 1942-1943

[@1strights]

Thank you for sharing, and thank you for honoring the ones that didn't make it back. This should be seen by all of our students.

[@ronniewilson7479]

He came and talked at my school now this man is a legend I thank him for doing what he did now another thing I want to thank him for is what he said at my school that day he said alot of things I needed to hear and I thank him for that.

[@wesinman2312]

Wow, what a humble and patriotic man, it is an honor to hear your story, and so glad you found the Lord Jesus.

[@rogerdavies6226]

there are no atheists in in foxholes

[@lauradietz3156]

Thank you for the video of Woody, who recently became the Honorary National Chairman of Iwo Jima Monument West to build a monument for Camp Pendleton facing the Pacific seen from I-5 where up to 50 million vehicles a year go by. Bless you Woody in your continuing campaign for Gold Star Families Memorials in every state> God Bless! marinesoniwojima.com

[@johnbarnett7092]

Rest in Peace Marine 06/29/22

[@tedbaxter5234]

This was 9 years ago…glad this is on video.

[@Fitzgeraldtmarie]

We have had the honor of meeting Mr. Williams several times in the past few years. Love these heroes.......

[@thesnapperlapper2559]

Amazing, I wish more people were like this

[@justins1034]

Semper Fi Sir

[@antonioperez2623]

A war hero and wonderful human being.

[@mattwesley4435]

This is a true warrior...a rare breed...he had to have had divine intervention watching over him...i have seen this and have has it happen to me in ramadi iraq...situations where you should be dead and there's no way just having good luck protected you...taking out 1 pull box alone and surviving the odds are not in your favor, but to take out 7, ...thats incredible

[@marthacarson7561]

Miss you, Woody. 🇺🇸

[@bjrnjordan4374]

He wrote me a letter god bless this man

[@bmcg5296]

One that will shock you is Christopher Lee the late actor was a former SAS soldier during WWII at 6ft 4 a giant. During a interview once he said to the reporter that was asking what he did and he replied, do you know what it’s like to break a mans neck? He said I do, without a flinch or a movement of eyes! And the reporter said he was telling the truth in this moment. Those men in any special forces branches are super humans.

[@jeffconley6698]

Love you, Woody! I served with 1st MarDiv in Vietnam. So thankful for guys like you!

[@lornakim5706]

And Thank You, too, Dear Brave & Resolute of you All!! Xoxo

[@lornakim5706]

His number wasn't up is Why

[@lornakim5706]

Amen to Making Life Better when creeps run the Country Damaging People's Eyes, Ears, Extremities & literally All body parts = implosion is when The Federal Government no longer protects

[@davidkinney7814]

A great American Patriot and Hero. THANKY YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE?

[@TheCecil64]

Thank You.

[@donolbers9446]

Such a humble person, I always enjoy hearing him talk.

[@preacherpdx5519]

Thank You for these videos

[@therealjasonpark]

God bless this man and God bless America.

[@lornakim5706]

Amen, Sir & Merci Beaucoup for your Service & endless, undying Sacrifices 🎆💌

[@stephanharasyko8376]

Thank you

[@woodwardc99]

He ie such a wise , humble inspiration. He has my gratitude and respect.

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

This is why America never lost a war. They pluck farm boys from random little towns and teach them how to use horrific weapons. Then they ship them to places they'd never heard of and tell them there is no such thing as quiting. Other countries do that too, but America just hits different.

[@oldcop18]

Much respect from a Vietnam vet.

[@ronpearson998]

Great man!

[@davidhielckert2245]

What a honor it was to have met him !

[@Dunning.Kruger]

Semper Fi Mac

[@rlicon1970]

That's awesome video. A great humble man. I love my country. Good bless the 🇺🇸 USAF 50TFW HAHN AB, GE DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT

[@markkkwall]

NFL take note this a true hero!

[@HighPower762]

Those crybabies aren't fit to shine this guy's shoes!😣

[@markhepworth4804]

HighPower762 But your Clown in Chief is....😂😂😂😂

[@DeliriousKnife]

Thank you for your Service Big Foot I’m glad you put your life on the line to defend the Constitution.

[@markhepworth4804]

Lucy Heartfilia 👈😂 Who gives a fuck about Clinton...? Apart from you clowns,you're the only people who ever talk about her "but what about,but what about,but...." 😂 How's all the "winning" going for you? Mexico paid for that wall,that's changing into a fence now? How's that North Korea thing going now satellites are watching them build new missile sites all over the place? How's trumps unsecured iPhone he won't give up still letting other countries listen in on his dumb mutterings? How's the the cutting and running in Syria whilst leaving your allies to die going? How's every major country on the planet agreeing to try and do something for the future of the planets environment,but you cunts deciding you won't going? How's every "decision"your cunt in chief making being against America's allies but applauded,by Russia your greatest strategic enemy for the last 75 years going traitor? How's your stock market being the lowest it been since 1931 in Great Depression going(funny you don't hear the clown saying anything about it🤔) How's your country's president being openly laughed at at the UN(that's the respect he's brought to the US) going? The list is fucking endless....Do you know what the Dunning Kruger effect is..? Still getting your information off Facebook😂 Hope so,got to keep those Russians bots busy. The list of dumbfuckery,ignorance,self interest,bigotry and everything being done to America's enemy's advantage at the cost of your allies,democracy,decency and overall THE FUCKING TRUTH ABOUT ANNYTHING is staggering. But then you lot are fine with lying,in fact you love lying. Put a fact in front of you trump types and even when it's all there set out in front of you,you feckless cunts will still deny it. Anyone of those off the top of my head things I've mentioned can be looked up and easily verified,but of course,you and yours will never do that,you and truth are not good bed fellows.

[@king-emperorbotolfzainisem730]

I can only imagine how terrifying the wars were

[@sleazyfellow]

Extremely lucky guy to have survived that. Being a flamethrower was usually a suicide mission they got picked off like crazy.

[@HKSlays]

I endeavor to be a fraction of the man that is Cpl. Williams.

[@rohawaha]

An old Christian saying : If you want to hear God laugh , just tell him your life's plan. A humble man of God is an awesome thing to wittiness.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

True blue hero but he'd never call himself one

[@michaeldryden1420]

SEMPER FI

[@bokvarv1926]

grim reaper checks under his bed at night for mr Willams. BADASS SEMPER FI!

[@michaelhicks8237]

You sir do not ever have to explain anything to anyone.

[@ronaldweed4599]

A M E N

[@liftophrenics]

I MET HIM

[@seanberthiaume3279]

Me too Parris Island boot camp!

[@mikeblevins30]

i would still put my money on this guy over 10 regular men