Today we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Day that will forever live in Infamy. This attack enraged a Nation and made the final push in our Nation's road to World War. Just as 9/11 enraged my generation to fight the war on terror, Pearl Harbor was the sucker punch that moved the Greatest Generation to fight the last of the Great Wars.
Yesterday, I had the privledge and honor to speak with a member of that generation, Hershel "Woody" Williams, who also happens to be living recipient of our Country's highest Military honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Woody joined the Marines in 1943, after being first denied due to height restrictions, and was shipped off to the Pacific theater, joining his fellow Marines and Sailors as they island-hopped their way to Japan.
By February 23rd, 1945, Corporal Williams found himself on Iwo Jima, fighting an entrenched enemy for a key piece of ocean-front property. What transpires during this day will earn Woody Williams the Medal of Honor.
Yesterday, I had the privledge and honor to speak with a member of that generation, Hershel "Woody" Williams, who also happens to be living recipient of our Country's highest Military honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Woody joined the Marines in 1943, after being first denied due to height restrictions, and was shipped off to the Pacific theater, joining his fellow Marines and Sailors as they island-hopped their way to Japan.
By February 23rd, 1945, Corporal Williams found himself on Iwo Jima, fighting an entrenched enemy for a key piece of ocean-front property. What transpires during this day will earn Woody Williams the Medal of Honor.
Williams, distinguished himself when American tanks, trying to open a lane for infantry, encountered a network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands. Williams went forward alone with his 70-pound (32 kg) flamethrower to attempt the reduction of devastating machine gun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered by only four riflemen, he fought for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flame throwers. He returned to the front, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. At one point, a wisp of smoke alerted him to the air vent of a Japanese bunker, and he approached close enough to put the nozzle of his flamethrower through the hole, killing the occupants. On another occasion, he charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon.
These actions occurred on the same day as the raising of the U.S. flag on the island's Mount Suribachi, although Williams
was not able to witness the event.
These actions occurred on the same day as the raising of the U.S. flag on the island's Mount Suribachi, although Williams
was not able to witness the event.
What an incredible, courageous story of self-less service, sacrifice and love for his fellow Marines. However, if you speak with Woody, his quiet humilty speaks volumes. He states that this honor is not for him, but for those who never came home, those who lost their lives on the black-sanded beaches and jungle interior during the battle for that island.
Woody is a prime example of why his generation has been called one of the greatest and his continued service to this Nation and our military community, even at the age of 88, is a testament to his love of Country and his fellow Americans. Woody sets a standard that we can only hope to acheive but an example we can all certainly follow.
As I headed out the door, Mr. Williams handed me a copy of a poem he had written to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of Pearl Harbor and I have listed it below. Take a moment out of your busy day to think of what this day means to the men and women of that dying generation, what it continue to mean to our military community and what it shares with our own, Day of Infamy - 9/11. Think of the unity this December tragedy developed and remember what united us on our more recent September Day. Finally, remember our military and our veterans as they continue to serve this great Nation.
Woody is a prime example of why his generation has been called one of the greatest and his continued service to this Nation and our military community, even at the age of 88, is a testament to his love of Country and his fellow Americans. Woody sets a standard that we can only hope to acheive but an example we can all certainly follow.
As I headed out the door, Mr. Williams handed me a copy of a poem he had written to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of Pearl Harbor and I have listed it below. Take a moment out of your busy day to think of what this day means to the men and women of that dying generation, what it continue to mean to our military community and what it shares with our own, Day of Infamy - 9/11. Think of the unity this December tragedy developed and remember what united us on our more recent September Day. Finally, remember our military and our veterans as they continue to serve this great Nation.
Let's Remember We're United
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
And the lessons that it taught
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
And our loved ones who fought
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
And all the Mothers gave
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
And those in Honored Graves
And the lessons that it taught
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
And our loved ones who fought
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
And all the Mothers gave
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
And those in Honored Graves
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
As we live our lives today
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
And our Freedom to always say
Let's Remember we're United
As we go to beat the foe
Let's Remember our Heritage
As we did the Alamo
As we live our lives today
Let's Remember Pearl Harbor
And our Freedom to always say
Let's Remember we're United
As we go to beat the foe
Let's Remember our Heritage
As we did the Alamo
We will always Remember
To save our Liberty
Let's Remember our loved ones
As we promise to stay Free
Let's Remember our loved ones
Who are dying every day
Let's Remember the loved ones
That are now in harm's way
To save our Liberty
Let's Remember our loved ones
As we promise to stay Free
Let's Remember our loved ones
Who are dying every day
Let's Remember the loved ones
That are now in harm's way
We will always remember, to be thankful and pray
Let's Remember our blessings and go on to win the fray
Let's Remember our blessings and go on to win the fray
-Hershel "Woody" Williams - Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient 1945
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