![]() Green was 17 when she joined the Women's Royal Air Force in 1918, two months before the armistice, the BBC reported. Sadly, whether you are in New York, in London, or in Kandahar, warfare touches all of our lives." "It reminds us of the Great War, and all warfare since then has been something that involved everyone," Dye, director-general of the RAF Museum, told Time. "It's a collective experience. "In a way, that the last veteran should be a lady and someone who served on the home front is something that reminds me that warfare is not confined to the trenches," Retired Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye told Time. Florence Green, 110, was a waitress in Britain's Royal Air Force. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.The last known surviving veteran of World War I has died. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off, please email, and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. God rest Hershel “Woody” Williams, a true American hero. His selflessness at Iwo Jima serves as a testament that any American can stand up for what is right. His story should inspire us all to pursue a life dedicated to service, as freedom is never free. The future of democracy is dependent upon the willingness of Americans to follow in the footsteps of Williams and others like him in the defense of a free world. ![]() The next few decades will test the resilience of American democracy as our adversaries continue to challenge freedom across the world. military currently struggling to meet their 2022 recruitment goals, the U.S. With China overhauling its military with modern technology, Russia invading a sovereign Ukraine in a war that has already robbed thousands of lives, and all branches of the U.S. Americans must realize that without monumental figures like Williams, our cherished values of freedom and democracy are threatened by dangers both foreign and domestic. This is a crucial point in American history when the need for Americans to answer that call has never been more critical. His courageous actions at Iwo Jima serve as a call to service for all Americans. His passing is a grim reminder that we are slowly losing the last of the heroes who bravely fought for freedom and democracy around the world in the biggest conflict the world had ever seen.Īmericans should immortalize the valiant deeds of Williams and all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend this great nation and the highest ideals for which we stand. The foundation has plans to construct 72 more of these monuments even after Williams’ death.īefore his death, Williams was the last surviving serviceman of the 27 Marines and Navy sailors who were awarded the Medal of Honor following their fearless actions at Iwo Jima. Together with his foundation, Williams helped establish over 100 memorial monuments for Gold Star families across the U.S. He also co-founded the Woody Williams Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting Gold Star families-those who lost loved ones in active duty service in the U.S. To continue his career of public service, Williams worked at the Veterans Administration as a veterans service representative for 33 years. Later that year, Williams left active service and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve, retiring at the rank of chief warrant officer 4 in 1969 after 20 years of service. His devotion to continue fighting even after incurring a leg wound also earned him a Purple Heart, a military decoration awarded to those who are wounded or killed during service. His unyielding heroism allowed for Marine tanks and infantry to funnel through his scorched paths to advance through the Japanese holdouts and claim the island after a grueling five weeks of death and destruction.Īt the end of the war, Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman at the White House. Williams would continue fighting on Iwo Jima even after suffering a leg injury. ![]() ![]() By the end of the day, he would destroy seven of the Japanese gun posts. Williams was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his “valiant devotion to duty” during the battle, where he repeatedly charged through intense enemy fire with his flamethrower to incinerate a series of Japanese machine gun posts.įor four unimaginable hours, Williams would hastily prepare flamethrowers at his headquarters and return to the barren wasteland, dodging barrages of Japanese bullets while carrying loads of equipment. He was 98.Įnlisting in the Marine Corps in 1943 at the age of 19, Williams was a demolition corporal when he and his Marine battalion landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima on Feb. Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving World War II veteran awarded the Medal of Honor, died June 29. America just lost another hero from “the greatest generation.”
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