News Stories Archive

CWO4 Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, was honored at Memorial services in Charleston, W. Va. Family, friends, fellow Marines, and people from all over the country came to pay respects to Woody while he lay in state at the State Capitol Rotunda, July 2 and 3. A State Memorial Service in Woody’s honor was held at the State Culture Center Theater the afternoon of July 3. The service included several tributes, to include special remarks by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David. H. Berger, and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black. - CWO4 Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, was honored at Memorial services in Charleston, W. Va. Family, friends, fellow Marines, and people from all over the country came to pay respects to Woody while he lay in state at the State Capitol Rotunda, July 2 and 3. A State Memorial Service in Woody’s honor was held at the State Culture Center Theater the afternoon of July 3. The service included several tributes, to include special remarks by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David. H. Berger, and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black.

Ship's Sponsors Shana McCool and Kate Oja christened Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29), the U.S. Navy's 13th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock at HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division. LPD 29 is named for McCool and Oja's grandfather, Capt. Richard M. McCool Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient. (Courtesy photo) - Ship's Sponsors Shana McCool and Kate Oja christened Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29), the U.S. Navy's 13th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock at HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division. LPD 29 is named for McCool and Oja's grandfather, Capt. Richard M. McCool Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient. (Courtesy photo)

Brig. Gen. Bradley S. James, commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, reads a letter written by Gen. Robert B. Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, addressing retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima, for his 95th birthday at the National World War II Museum, Oct. 2, 2018. Part of the letter stated, “This is a remarkable milestone and I hope it will offer you the opportunity to reflect on a lifetime of achievements.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Tessa D. Watts) - Brig. Gen. Bradley S. James, commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, reads a letter written by Gen. Robert B. Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, addressing retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima, for his 95th birthday at the National World War II Museum, Oct. 2, 2018. Part of the letter stated, “This is a remarkable milestone and I hope it will offer you the opportunity to reflect on a lifetime of achievements.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Tessa D. Watts)

“We are very honored to know that he is not forgotten, and to know the Marines remember him,” said Joe Braunschweig, center, nephew of Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Louis J. Hauge, Jr. Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, dedicated their headquarters building in memory of Hauge for his heroic actions during the Battle of Okinawa, April 30, 2018 on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan. Braunschweig is a native of Browns point, Washington. - “We are very honored to know that he is not forgotten, and to know the Marines remember him,” said Joe Braunschweig, center, nephew of Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Louis J. Hauge, Jr. Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, dedicated their headquarters building in memory of Hauge for his heroic actions during the Battle of Okinawa, April 30, 2018 on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan. Braunschweig is a native of Browns point, Washington.

Col. Jay R. Vargas, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, waves at the camera after speaking to service members about the importance of finding help for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder May 12, 2015, at the Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii. - Col. Jay R. Vargas, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, waves at the camera after speaking to service members about the importance of finding help for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder May 12, 2015, at the Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

President Truman congratulates three Marines who have just been presented the Medal of Honor in Washington, Nov. 24, 1952. They are, from left to right, Pfc. Hector A. Cafferata, Jr., retired Tech Sgt. Robert S. Kennemore and Lt. Col. Raymond G. Davis. - President Truman congratulates three Marines who have just been presented the Medal of Honor in Washington, Nov. 24, 1952. They are, from left to right, Pfc. Hector A. Cafferata, Jr., retired Tech Sgt. Robert S. Kennemore and Lt. Col. Raymond G. Davis.

Maj. Gen. Burke Whitman, Headquarters Marine Corps director of Marine and family readiness, presents the American flag to the family of 1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Jr. at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville, Tenn., Sept. 27, 2015. Bonnyman joined Marine Forces Reserve in July 1942 and was killed while fighting in the battle of Tarawa in 1943. Bonnyman’s remains were discovered in Tarawa 72 years after he was buried there. - Maj. Gen. Burke Whitman, Headquarters Marine Corps director of Marine and family readiness, presents the American flag to the family of 1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Jr. at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville, Tenn., Sept. 27, 2015. Bonnyman joined Marine Forces Reserve in July 1942 and was killed while fighting in the battle of Tarawa in 1943. Bonnyman’s remains were discovered in Tarawa 72 years after he was buried there.

Marine Vietnam veterans and their spouses listen intently to speakers at the Lt. Vincent Capodanno Medal of Honor Dedication at the Capodanno Chapel aboard The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, December 9, 2014. Capodanno served as a Navy chaplain with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Capodanno's Medal of Honor was recently donated to the chapel and was dedicated during the ceremony. - Marine Vietnam veterans and their spouses listen intently to speakers at the Lt. Vincent Capodanno Medal of Honor Dedication at the Capodanno Chapel aboard The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, December 9, 2014. Capodanno served as a Navy chaplain with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Capodanno's Medal of Honor was recently donated to the chapel and was dedicated during the ceremony.