Congressmen Marc Veasey, Blake Moore’s Bipartisan Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act Passes the House
WASHINGTON – Late last night, the Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act passed the House of Representatives. Introduced by Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) and Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT), this bipartisan legislation is the final legislative step in establishing a location for a monument recognizing America’s Medal of Honor recipients on the National Mall.
"Late last night, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Hershel "Woody" Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act that will honor the service and sacrifice of more than 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients that live across our nation," said Congressman Veasey (TX-33). "I want to thank Congressman Moore for joining me in this bipartisan effort. I hope our colleagues in the Senate will follow our lead to get this important piece of legislation over to President Biden's desk.”
“As Americans across our nation reflect on the sacrifices of our brave veterans this week, it is only fitting that the House passed our bill to place the Medal of Honor monument on the National Mall in Washington,” said Congressman Moore (UT-01). “It is very special that as we take this final, legislative step to place the monument by the Lincoln Memorial, we honor the life of Woody Williams, the last WWII Medal of Honor recipient to pass away. This monument will inspire Americans for generations and serve as a reminder that freedom isn’t free. I am grateful for my colleagues in the House for supporting this bill, and I thank Congressman Marc Veasey for joining me in this important effort.”
During the 117th Congress, Congressmen Veasey and Moore successfully led the bipartisan National Medal of Honor Monument Act through the legislative process to authorize the creation of a new monument in Washington, D.C., to honor Medal of Honor recipients. The bill was signed by President Biden in December of 2021. The Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act is the next and final legislative step in establishing a location for the monument on the National Mall. Congressman Marc Veasey spoke on the House floor prior to its passage, and his remarks can be viewed here.
Background
Hershel “Woody” Williams was born in West Virginia in 1923. He enlisted in the Marines in 1943 and was in the Pacific Theater within less than 90 days. On February 21, 1945, then Corporal Williams landed on the beach at Iwo Jima, where he distinguished himself by repeatedly risking himself to enemy fire and bayonet charges over several hours, while singlehandedly destroying enemy pillboxes, or concrete trenches, to make way for American tanks and infantry. His gallant actions took place on the same day as the famous flag raising on Mount Suribachi, which he witnessed from 1,000 yards away.
After returning home, President Harry Truman awarded Corporal Hershel Williams the Medal of Honor—our nation’s highest recognition for valor in combat—for his “aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action, [sustaining] and [enhancing] the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” Following his distinguished Marine career, Williams continued to serve others in many capacities. He lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda last summer as the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient to pass away.
The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest award for military valor in action. An estimated 40 million individuals have served in the United States Armed Forces since the Civil War. Fewer than 4,000 have been awarded the Medal of Honor. President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medals of Honor more than 160 years ago on March 25, 1863, forever tying the Medal to his lasting and living legacy. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush further extended this legacy by establishing March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day.
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