WASHINGTON (WV News) — The life of a “legend” will be honored Thursday at the U.S. Capitol, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said during her weekly virtual press conference.

Capito reflected on the life and service of Hershel “Woody” Williams, who will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

“It’s an honor that’s been afforded very few times throughout our nation’s history,” she said. “It’s symbolic in a lot of ways — it’s a goodbye to the Greatest Generation. Many of those veterans are in their late 90s. So it’s a fitting tribute — not just to him, because he wouldn’t want it to be just be for him — but a symbol of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.”

 

Williams, a native of Marion County’s Quiet Dell and the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died June 29 surrounded by his family, according to information released by the Woody Williams Foundation.

 

During a memorial service for Williams at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston on July 3, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. said one of Williams’ final wishes was for “those who served in the Greatest Generation and WWII Medal of Honor recipients to be honored at the nation’s Capitol.”

Williams requested that the last WWII Medal of Honor recipient lie in state at the U.S. Capitol to honor all members of the Greatest Generation, Manchin said.

 

The decision to honor Williams at the U.S. Capitol, announced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, was applauded by the other members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation.

 

“Woody Williams dedicated his life to the service of our nation,” said Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va. “Even this final honor, to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol, was something Woody wanted for his fellow World War II Medal of Honor recipients and not himself.”

 

According to biographical information from the Woody Williams Foundation, Williams enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division.

 

During the battle, Williams displayed “valiant devotion to duty” and service above self as he “enabled his company to reach its objective.”

 

Williams’ actions, commitment to his fellow service members and heroism were recognized on Oct. 5, 1945, when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman at the White House.

 

Williams and his foundation are responsible for establishing 103 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments across the United States, with more than 72 additional monuments underway in 50 states and one U.S. Territory.