HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 77

(By Delegates Manchin and Caputo)

[Introduced March 3, 2003; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the West Virginia Division of Highways to erect signs at the unincorporated village to identify Quiet Dell, Marion County, West Virginia, as the birthplace and home of Hershel Woodrow Williams , a member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II, and recipient of 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 was awarded to Hershel Woodrow Williams who was born October 2, 1923, at Quiet Dell, Marion County, West Virginia; and
Whereas, Since the establishment of the 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 of its young men and women, per capita, 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 Medal of Honor for his acts of uncommon valor exhibited during the fierce fighting against the Japanese on February 23, 1945, 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. The citation awarding the Medal of Honor included the following: " For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine-gun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately 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, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On one occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flame thrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon. His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strong points encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective. Cpl. Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service" ; 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 and this should not go unnoticed; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the West Virginia Division of Highways is requested to provide and erect signs at the unincorporated Village identifying Quiet Dell, Marion County, West Virginia, as the birthplace and home of Hershel Woodrow Williams, a member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II, and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor , a native son of whom we are extremely proud and whose wartime actions and dedication to the service of his country, state and fellow service members epitomize the best of West Virginia and humankind ; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, and to Hershel Woodrow Williams.