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This week, America said goodbye to the last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient, Hershel "Woody" Williams, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 98.
The Marine Times detailed some of Williams' illustrious life and military career, "Born in 1923 on a dairy farm in Quiet Dell, West Virginia, Williams was the youngest of 11 children."
"Initially disqualified for being too short, Williams enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943, according to his biography. The demolition sergeant landed on Iwo Jima on Feb. 21, 1945, with 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division," the Times noted.
The story then described some of Williams' Marine heroics.
"Two days later, on Feb. 23, 1945, he famously destroyed enemy emplacements with a flamethrower, going forward alone into machinegun fire, covered only by four riflemen," the report continued.
The story observed that,"His citation states, 'he fought desperately for 4 hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers,' before wiping out one enemy position after another."
On one occasion, he “daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent,” which killed all enemy occupants and silenced its gun.
The Times reported, "Williams received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman at the White House in October 1945 for 'conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”
Republican Rep. Carol Miller asked for Williams to lie in honor in the Capitol.
She wasn't alone in honoring this great hero.
Also, shame on Pelosi.
RIP, Hershel 'Woody' Williams.
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