TRIBUTE TO WARRANT OFFICER HERSHEL “WOODY” WILLIAMS
Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 177
(Senate - October 7, 2021) PDF
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I also want to wish Woody a happy
birthday as well.
I just join my colleagues today to commemorate and honor some of the
Nation's most admirable warfighters in the Second World War, and I so
appreciate my colleagues bringing their personal stories to the floor
today. This is something that all Americans should cherish--the stories
of these heroes. We have very few of these brave heroes still among us
today, and it is so important that they receive every ounce of
recognition that we can give them for their selflessness and
extraordinary heroism.
I am pleased to be a cosponsor of Senator Manchin's legislation to
provide a merited celebration and commemoration of the last living
World War II Medal of Honor recipient, Woody Williams, who recently
celebrated his 98th birthday.
Medal of Honor recipients like Mr. Williams demonstrated a courageous
and noble commitment to our Nation, and their exemplary actions deserve
all the praise that we can give them.
I am proud to represent a State that has several World War II Medal
of Honor recipients of its own, in Mississippi: Van Thomas Barfoot of
Edinburg, Robert T. Henry of Greenville, James Daniel Slaton of
Gulfport, Louis Hugh Wilson of Brandon, and Jack Harold Lucas of
Hattiesburg, whom I still remain friends with his family today.
From Germany to Japan, these men served our Nation without hesitation
in the height of the Second World War, defending our Nation, our
allies, and the very principles of freedom. It fills my heart with
great pride to call these late veterans my fellow Mississippians. The
tributes we offer today for Mr. Williams in truth stand for our deep
appreciation for all of those who fought in World War II.
I thank my colleagues for their great work on this important
recognition and the opportunity to be a part of this.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I yield the floor.