CHARLESTON, W.Va. — World World II Veteran and West Virginia’s last living Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams was almost at a loss for words when describing what it meant to have a U.S. Navy ship named after him.
“I don’t feel like I’m worthy. I really don’t, but I am so proud and thankful that others would think me worthy to receive such an honor,” Williams told MetroNews following a ceremony held Thursday at the state Culture Center in Charleston.
Williams gave the ship a motto: “Peace we seek. Peace we keep.”
“It’ll be in the fleet for decades,” said U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. “It’ll be there; it will be around the world. It will support Marines around the world. Marines, people in this country and people around the world will know the values of Woody Williams.”
Williams said the ship is not just about him, but all his fellow Marines that served with him.
“When I think of those individuals, I feel like they would be more entitled to this kind of recognition than I was,” Williams said. “Realizing that they can’t be here; I hope in some way I’m standing in their stead. That I’m representing them, not me.”
Williams was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II in Iwo Jima.
“We try to name ships after the virtues we hold dearest, and the virtues of America,” Mabus said. “And Woody Williams represents that.”
Williams was grateful to be recognized with a ship while he was still alive.
“Many times we do wait until after the person passes on before we really give them honor for what took place,” he said. “To have that happen while I’m still living, I’m very thankful that I was around to receive this honor.
The ship’s official name is the USNS Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB 4).
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Charleston Mayor Danny Jones, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and West Virginia Third District Congressman Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) were on hand for the ceremony at the Capitol.
“That name on that ship, defending this great country, will be there for quite some time,” Manchin previously said.
Mabus said the ship could be christened by next year with plans to join the fleet in 2018.