[ real wv ]
Semper Fi
The Legacy of Woody Williams
CATHY BONNSTETTER
HERSHEL WOODY WILLIAMS MEDAL OF HONOR FOUNDATION
Before Hershel“ Woody” Williams became a Marine corporal and World War II veteran, a Medal of Honor recipient and veterans’ advocate, he was a taxi driver in Fairmont, WV, on the 6 p. m.-6 a. m. shift. He would sometimes also deliver Western Union telegrams to the families of fallen soldiers.
“ The minute those families saw that envelope, they knew, and they would break down,” says Williams.“ I was an 18-year-old boy. I didn’ t know what to say or how to handle it.”
This tough-as-nails Marine carried those experiences in his soft heart through the decades, inspiring him as a soldier and driving his mission to recognize his fallen comrades through the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation.
Inspired to Serve
When Williams was growing up in Quiet Dell, a small town in Harrison County, WV, his two older brothers were already serving in the U. S. Army. He had his eye on the Marine Corps, though, and dreamed of wearing its uniform.
“ We had a couple Marines from the area, and when they came home, they were always in their dress blues,” he says.“ They were required to wear them the entire time they were at home, and they looked sharp. These guys were neat and polite and could really take our girlfriends away from us.”
In November 1942, Williams, who had just turned 18, hurried down to the recruiter in Fairmont, WV, ready to sign up,
WWW. WVEXECUTIVE. COM WINTER 2018 81