Hershel “Woody” Williams, big damn hero and Medal of Honor recipient. He was 98.
His Medal of Honor citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine-gun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On one occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants, and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon. His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strongpoints encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective. Cpl. Williams’ aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
According to the paper of record, he was “the last survivor among the 472 servicemen who were awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary bravery in World War II and the oldest living recipient of the medal”.
(Alternative link.)
Lawrence’s tribute from 2019.
Margaret Keane, the painter of big-eyed children.
In 1970, on a trip to San Francisco, Ms. Keane told a reporter that her former husband had painted none of the big-eyed waifs, and offered to prove it with a demonstration of their respective painting abilities in Union Square. The media splash drew crowds. Ms. Keane arrived with paints and easel. But Mr. Keane did not show up, and he continued to play the part of the successful artist.
In 1986, Ms. Keane raised another dramatic “paint-off” challenge — this time in a Honolulu court, where she had brought a defamation suit against Mr. Keane for falsely claiming that he had painted her work. Her lawyers argued that a painting demonstration was the only way to settle the case. A judge agreed.
In less than an hour, Ms. Keane executed a big-eyed urchin. Mr. Keane, who represented himself in the case, said he had a sore shoulder and could not lift his arm to paint.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 at 11:55 am and is filed under Art, Heroism, History, Obits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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I will concentrate on Woody Williams. I have heard it said that you can judge a society by those that they hold up as their heroes. From what some of the men did, during the time of WWII, to save not just America, but basically the world, from enslavement, not only speaks of the bravery of those men, but the greatness of the nation that created them.
I am grateful that Woody Williams has been recognized, not just here, but at other places. And I also know that his example has served to lead others to do the same, in the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, and other places where our men and women continue to serve, to protect us, and others, from those who would take the freedom from us. I think that it is up to us to do our part to preserve it here at home.
Now is the time for strength, and courage to stand upright, as I see danger coming. Be safe, and be well.
Thank you. pigpen51.
I have some thoughts on heroism in the later part of the 20th and the 21st Century that I will write up one of these days. In the meantime, I appreciate your comments as always.
I want to believe that, as someone once said, God looks out for fools, drunkards, and the United States. I hope we’re both wrong about danger coming, but i see the same things you do.
All we can do, I guess, is keep our heads down and our powder dry.