CHARLESTON — Woody Williams, the West Virginian who was America’s last World War II Medal of Honor recipient, could receive a place of honor in the U.S. Capitol.
The state Senate Finance Committee last week advanced a resolution to honor Williams in the National Statuary Hall Collection, which consists of 100 statues contributed by the 50 states.
“We’re excited about the prospect of Woody being forever memorialized in Washington, D.C.,” said Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia.
West Virginia’s two statues for many years have honored Francis Pierpont, who was founding father of the state, and John Kenna, a congressman and senator in the late 1800s.
The resolution would replace the statue of Kenna with one honoring Williams. The statue of Kenna would be moved to the West Virginia Culture Center.
“This is such a tremendous honor. It is something that we were so humbled and excited to hear about,” Chad Graham, the youngest of Williams’s five grandsons, told senators.
He said the statue designation would ensure “Woody’s platform is used to bring attention to others and to bring attention to the great state of West Virginia.”
Williams died in 2022 at age 98.
Williams was presented with the Medal of Honor for his actions on Iwo Jima during World War II. Under constant fire, he used a flame thrower to take out seven Japanese gun emplacements, usually called “pill boxes.” That effort gave Marines a foothold to advance.
He went on to a life of public service, advocating for veterans and for Gold Star families who lost loved ones in military action. Williams died late last month at age 98.
After his death, Williams lay in honor in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. His contributions were celebrated by West Virginia’s congressional delegation and by national elected officials. Williams was one of few Americans and just the first West Virginian to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol.
The resolution advanced from Senate Finance would kick off the search for an artist to produce the statue, direct the governor to provide funding and prompt the governor to send an official request to switch the statue of Kenna with the one for Williams.
“He was just a wonderful man,” said Sen. Rupie Phillips, R-Logan.
