HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 12
(By Delegates C. White, Givens, Yeager, Martin, Boggs, Anderson,
Armstead, Ashley, Azinger, Beach, Butcher, Campbell, Canterbury,
Caputo, Carmichael, Coleman, Compton, Craig, Dempsey, Ellem,
Evans, Fahey, Faircloth, Flanigan, Fragale, Frederick, Hall,
Harrison, Hatfield, Hrutkay, Hubbard, Keener, Kominar, Kuhn,
Leggett, Louisos, Manchin, Marshall, McGraw, Mathews, Morgan,
Overington, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pino, Poling, Proudfoot,
Prunty, Riggs, Romine, Schadler, Shaver, Shelton, Smirl, J.
Smith, L. Smith, Stalnaker, Staton, Stephens, R. Thompson, Trump,
Warner, Webb, G. White, H. White, Williams, Wills and Wright)
[Introduced January 30, 2002; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Urging the United States Navy to name a naval vessel in honor of a
native son who, as a member of the United States Marine Corps
during World War II, was awarded the Congressional Medal of
Honor.
Whereas, The highest honor which can be bestowed on a member of
the United States Armed Services is the Congressional Medal of
Honor which was first created to honor Union military personnel for
uncommon valor on the field of battle; and
Whereas, Since the establishment of the Congressional Medal of
Honor, millions of Americans have fought in twenty-two wars and
armed conflicts and, among these, only three thousand four hundred
eight persons have received the award for uncommon acts of valor;
and
Whereas, West Virginia has sent more, per capita, of its young
men and women into harm's way to serve in the armed services of
this country than any other state; and
Whereas, Hershel Woodrow Williams served as a Corporal in the
United States Marine Corps Reserve, Twenty-First Marines, Third
Marine Division during World War II; and
Whereas, Hershel Woodrow Williams was awarded the Congressional
Medal of Honor for his acts of uncommon valor exhibited during the
fierce fighting against the Japanese during the battle of Iwo Jima;
and
Whereas, Hershel Woodrow Williams' acts of uncommon valor on
the field of battle are a testament to his valiant devotion to his
country and are representative of the highest traditions of the
United States Naval Service and the Marine Corps; and
Whereas, Hershel Woodrow Williams, after serving as a combatant
during World War II, dedicated his life to the service of all
veterans in this country; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the United States Navy is urged to name a naval vessel
after Hershel Woodrow Williams to honor the man, his acts of
uncommon valor on the field of battle in defense of this country,
and to honor this State and the many of its citizens who have served in the United States military, especially those who have
died in defense of liberty and freedom; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the Office of the Secretary of the
Navy in Washington, D.C.