The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
WILLIAMS, HERSHEL WOODROW
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 21st
Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23
February 1945. Entered service at: West Virginia. Born: 2 October 1923,
Quiet Dell, W. Va.
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 machinegun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by 4 riflemen, he
fought desperately for 4 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 1 position
after another. On 1 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 strong points 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.
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