Woody Williams, last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient, to lie in honor at US Capitol
Williams, a Marine Corps veteran, died June 29. He was 98.
Woody Williams, the last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient, will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol, according to a news report Monday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made the announcement Sunday, according to Punchbowl News. However, a date for the ceremony has yet to be set.
Williams, a Marine Corps veteran, died June 29. He was 98.
U.S. citizens who have previously lain in honor at the Capitol include U.S. Capitol Officers Billy Evans and Brian Sicknick, the Rev. Billy Graham and Rosa Parks, Punchbowl also reports.
Williams is a West Virginia native fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima and was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman in 1945.
His two Senate – Joe Manchin, a Democrat, and Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican – said Sunday that they secured the honor.
“One of Woody’s last wishes was to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, not for himself, but to represent all World War II Medal of Honor recipients," Manchin said. "Senator Capito and I are proud to announce that we have secured a commitment for the last of the Greatest Generation, Woody Williams of Quiet Dell, to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol in the coming weeks."