CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The family of late Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams is thrilled with the House of Representatives action to create a spot on the National Mall for the National Medal of Honor monument.
The idea was something Williams sought to create before he died, Williams’ grandson Brent Casey said.
U.S. Senator Jim Justice took up the cause and introduced it as his first ever bill while serving in Washington. The legislation is now on President Trump’s desk and will likely be signed soon. Although Woody didn’t live to see it happen, Casey said he would be humbled and thrilled that others would get the recognition they deserve.
“The act and the bill bears his name and he was responsible for the idea, but it’s not about him,” Casey said. “It’s not for him and that’s not why he suggested it. It’s for all the Medal of Honor recipients.”
Williams was awarded the medal for acts of heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Williams cleared five Japanese gun emplacements with a flame thrower under withering enemy fire to enable fellow Marines to break through and move forward from their pinned down positions. There were 472 Medals of Honor bestowed during World War II, Williams was the last one to die.
Casey said putting the monument in a place of prominence will insure the sacrifices made by the rare few recognized with the nation’s highest military honor will be remembered for generations to come.
“There are about 25 million people who visit the National Mall every year. The bill specifies it will not be more than a thousand feet from the Lincoln Memorial. So it’s going to be there where young folks from our country will be able to see that and have a better understanding of the sacrifices these men have made,” he said.
Justice said it was the first bill he introduced for a reason.
“Our Medal of Honor recipients represent the very best of America, and we owe them a debt we can never repay,” Justice said. “I know my dear friend Woody Williams is smiling down on us today. This victory is for Woody, for West Virginia, and for every hero who put it all on the line for our freedom. I look forward to President Trump signing this meaningful bill into law.”
The National Medal of Honor Museum plans to have a competition for the sculpture and the final design of the monument.