MEDAL OF HONOR: Destroying Pillboxes with a FLAMETHROWER on IWO JIMA | Hershel “Woody” Williams 

Rest in peace

Rest in piece. You will never be forgotten.

Dang:( I get this recommended watched the whole thing, check the comments and see this. Rest In Peace legend

@@DignityForAllyt Peace....not piece

This channel and these stories are so important! It’s embarrassing that less than 190,000 people have subscribed. Should be 190 million

Yes. The greatest generation. Not many of them left now…

Thank you, Hershel.

I was wondering why this popped up on my recommended, but I googled him out of curiosity to see what he looked like when he was younger, and saw the "Died 29 June 2022" on the first result page. RIP.

Yes, may he Rest in Peace.

I think the guys that fought in WW2 are the most bad ass soldiers ever.

I just saw that as well. We have lost another hero. May this great man rest in peace.

Rip to all of those unfortunate enough to have to be in ww2.

@@letsdothis9063, yes, may he Rest in Peace.

RIP woody from the other side of the Pacific

Amazingly clear mind for a senior. Wow

We share the same birthday

Jus clicked on this video randomly sad to hear this.

RIP to Woody. My Pa was a heavily medaled war hero in the Pacific, he would be 100 on August 20 this year. This makes me very sentimental. He shaped my entire life. Very glad for that, and makes me disgusted with the way the world is working right now.

@@guts8916 don't be sad he lived a long good 98 years be happy he made it back and lived that long so many his age didn't see their 20th b-day he saw 98

What a life.

Wow…

You should subscribe to “Memoirs of WW II” on RU-vid! You’ll like it, interviews with some of the last remaining WW II Vets.

@@asmodeus1274 ty♡

We will remember god bless these humans

My daughter had the honor of visiting with Frank Buckles the last American doughboy before his passing.

@@OldNavyAirdale Damn that would be special!

KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIM. BECAUSE THAY ARE DINARS. RARER BREAD.

Dinars? Bread ?

@@RandomPlayer717 he’s saying they are a “dying breed”.

Nice childhood memory!

I seriously doubt u met this legend. I smell Cap

Semper Fidelis. Never Above, Never Below, Always Beside.

I am smiling because he lived, but quite sad that he has died. Semper fi. Long live the brotherhood.

@@megawega6370 like all other ww2 Vet once said "every man that survived is the luckiest man, living the rest of our life is bonus"

And his great grandson is also Marine and carrying his legacy

I know. This is my grandfathers generation. He was in Italy. It's hard not to get choked up reading that. I was a lot younger than I am now, when the last WW1 vet died. That didnt affect me at all. I'll cry and tip one back when the last WW2 vet dies.

My father was on a carrier in the Pacific. When I became a Corpsman, he was proud of me because he knew I was going with the Marines. God bless this hero

I kept rereading the title but I still can’t believe that we are down to the last Medal of Honor recipient.

@@CreatorCade 😢

Nah for me its 14:48.

@@tryingtotryistrying psych major here. You are entirely correct. All these things can have a significant impact on the rate of cognitive decline. It's really a "use it or lose it" thing. Either keep healthy and do activities that require a lot of brainpower (complex activities like video games, gardening or baking are big ones as they use multiple aspects of our minds like executive function for decision making, working memory, and in the case of some games, processing speed and inhibition of irrelevant information) or your cognition declines much faster One thing you havent brought up or one thing that gets overlooked is stereotyping and patronizing speech. Viewing an old person as cranky, physically or mentally incapable because of stereotypes (ads, TV) can make older adults actually feel like they are those things when they arent. Patronizing language (slowing down your speech, only talking about simple things like the weather, treating them like a child/speaking in an exaggerated high pitch or happy voice) is also severely detrimental and can actually make older adults more resistant to wanting to talk to people, which means they arent getting mental stimulation and their cognition declines faster. The best thing you can do is treat older adults on a case by case basis. Speak to them normally. If they need adjustments, THEN alter your speech if need be. Slowing down your speech or talking a bit louder is fine if youre a fast talker or they have bad hearing, but avoid the temptation to talk to them like a baby (ie feeding a grandparent: "come on grandma eat your veggies, there you gooo!"). Older adults just want to be treated with as much respect as anyone else.

@@tryingtotryistrying thanks. I was going to leave it at the first paragraph but I felt by the end of it I should write more to inform and make a difference. Funny how Im a lot more passionate applying my knowledge to youtube comments than I am to my schoolwork...probably because these arent extremely stressful essays and exams xD but I had a really good professor for my human aging: cognitive processes class where I learned the stuff in my previous post. If I can make someones life better even if its through a youtube comment like my first one, well, I'll consider that a victory to cherish, as a dumb bitch stumbling her way through life atm xD

@@tryingtotryistrying This isn't exclusive to Americans tho.

@@angelito2336 It isn't, but it's typically easiest to find peer reviewed research that is American. Plus, the guy in the video is American. Personally, I think in terms of developed countries, older adults in NA tend to age quite poorly compared to other nations, though living longer in other countries isnt always a good thing (such as Japan, where elderly are often lonely and despite having good cognitive function, their quality of life is poor due to isolation). Health outcomes for older adults here in NA might be different as newer generations age, I'd be interested in seeing what cross sectional studies have to say on cognition retention and quality of life as the people born in the 70s, 80s and 90s reach old age. Who knows what the world will look like by then?

You’re only old if you allow yourself to be

Yea it’s called disease and dementia

In my experience it’s usually either your body goes bad or your mind. Like 45% have the body fail and 45% have their mind fail. The other 10% are the people who get real lucky like Hershel here who have both go good, and the unlucky people who have both go bad.

@@chewy99. My grandmother lived into her 90s and her hearing was bad and so talking with her was difficult. Yes, this man is very lucky.

@@tarstarkusz Yeah. Was he mind still pretty good though?

@@chewy99. Yes. But she had such a hard time hearing that it was almost impossible to talk with her. She also had physical things wrong. She was in a car that was in an accident when she was around 90 and it took a lot out of her.

God, Country and Family. That used to be normal in this country, not anymore.

And is still as sharp as a tack.

My dad died 16 years ago at age 82. He was a Marine Raider and went through 4 island invasions. Woody Williams has to be at the most a year or 2 younger. Sounds like a really good guy.

Pure, unadulterated, badassery. That's what special about them.

They lined up and jumped over each other to serve…they WANTED it

Where was this?

@@xboxsucks12 Russell High School in Russell Kentucky about 6-7 years ago

What a wonderful story of a wonderful man and Marine.

What an honor to be able to be in those veterans presence!

Is there video of that interaction? Would love to see it. Thanks to all for their service

@@loushavkey5982 maybe look for SAC Museum MOH event. I think they did a couple of them. But wouldn't be surprised if theres bootleg footage.

Awesome story. Thx for sharing.

"Another Marine Reporting Sir,I have served my time in Hell" St Peter replied,"Welcome Aboard,you are among many Heros.

Well said and thank you for your service. Today's young people need to learn honor and respect.

Thats IT! "Because you have become their voice!".... I was searching for it... and you have put it into proper words....Well done!

@@wingding6758 I'm a very gung ho former Marine and I have many civilians ask why I'm so focused on my service. My service made me what I am today and I owe what and who I am to that service. It's my proud legacy to try and show what can come of being selfless in the service of others. IMO there is no other more satisfying thing you can do in your life and I want everyone to know it so at least a few will endeavor to experience it. I (we) owe every thing we have to people like this man. He was just doing his job but when it got ugly he continued on and managed to make it out the other side of the evolution. He is all we have left to tell the stories of those that can no longer and I know those stories for him may be painful but still he does so because no one else can. And in that he is still serving selflessly. In my eyes that's what makes him a hero.

Gotta love the old Leathernecks and what they did, with what they had. Sgt, USMC (79-83).

Thank you for your service, Marine, and welcome home.

Don't just listen, record. Far too many these days are doing everything theu can to eradicate the stories. They're trying to eradicate the things that made America great. They want to eradicate the notion that freedom is precious and easily lost and must be fought for to be preserved.

I got very lucky. My grandfather has passed, but late in life he decided to get into writing and kept a small newsletter filled with stories about the war or just everyday life going out to various friends who also served in WWII. Even though he's gone I still have quite a lot of his writing I can look back to, although I haven't since he passed away, still working my nerve up on that one

I was lucky in a sense to have two grandfather's who served in WWII and survived. The unique part of the story was one was a German Infantry Officer and the other an American Infantry PLT SGT. They met a few times and figured out they also fought against each other in three engagements in three different countries. Even though my German grandfather was an Officer he never joined the party so he remained a soldier and not a Nazi.

@@jugheadjones5458 God bless this hero. May he have calm last days and thank you for people like that. Best regards from Poland.

Off topic, but I remember a time when I was told that my great grandmother survived concentration camp when she was only 15 years old. I come from a polish family and she was living in Poland at the time and told us that she would see bombs soaring through the sky. I was told that at the age of around 7 or 8. Now being much older and understanding a lot more about WWII, it’s really something special to reflect back to seeing how she had a slim chance of escaping and managed to do so. Rest In Peace babcia❤️

Thanks Jimmy Pea, that's a good thing. Some of us have lost our Patience with some young people.💕🇺🇸⚓🐵

He just died today or yesterday RIP

And the left lane. Patience on the roads, my friends.

Yeah but he was Legendary

That’s a good point. Wonder how many heros are left out there

Indeed they did The Greatest Generation 🖖

I heard a ww2 vet say one time “I’m sure I’ll go to heaven because I’ve already been thru hell

Peaceful afterlife hahahaha for what ? Killing their fellow human “ what kind of twisted clown mindset is that ? Sounds like something isis would say

God will probably reward him for killing so many people. He must be so grateful.

@@TheDoctor1225 Talking to yourself again?

Hundreds if not thousands! Iwo Jima is the only battle the Marines fought where the Marines had more casualties than the enemy force

True

Tim your so right brother.

Too many to count. Almost 30 marines and sailors were awarded with the MOH during actions at iwo jima.

@@megarouge61 About 21,000 Japanese died and 7,000 Marines died. Another 19,000 Marines were casualties that lived. The numbers of Japanese that lived is slim. 200 Japanese captives and 3,000 that hid in the caves. A different source, History.com, states that only 200 Japanese lived.

It is not the size of the Dog in the Fight, it is the Size of the Fight in the Dog! Lew James respect to you and your Son! John, Australia.

Being short is probably why he survived. Smaller Target lower to the ground even when standing. I'm 6'8 and I probably last 5 minutes with my head sticking up above everyone else.

@@davidbranagan9429 Yep. The flamethrower guy is everybody's target.

It ain’t the dog in the fight, it’s the fight in the dog 👍

It's common for branches to lower the bar. You know they also allow women to serve as marines now too?

@@TheInfidel_SlavaUA you only regained your freedom because the Allies allowed you to regain it. If the Us didn’t want you to reunite or be free you wouldn’t be. The Japanese did not want the Us to be free. This man is absolutely more intelligent then you that much is certain.

@@jordannewman177 If the US didn't want them to be free, it wouldn't matter, because it was not a war of conquest nor was the US the only allied participant on WW1 or 2. Germany lost many freedoms after WW1, and it was France and Britain that allowed Germany to retake those freedoms. When the Berlin wall fell, it was because of Russia and Germany, not the US. The US doesn't have nearly the influence you believe it to have

@@YourPalKindred I’m sorry but I wholeheartedly disagree with you. What he meant was that if we allow ourselves to lose our freedom willingly. Then we will never have the same level of freedom we now have the privilege of knowing. If the US had not done what it did during ww2 and the Cold War then either the world would be run by fascists or communists.

@@jordannewman177 Im a bit lost on what you are saying about the Japanese not wanting the US to be free. They didnt care about us. They wanted to launch an attack and gain control of half a dozen land countries or territories.. They wanted to keep us from being able to fight them for those areas. That is the only reason they attacked pearl harbor. They knew they could over run those areas fast (and they did) but also knew that if it was an extended war they would lose - and they did. Why is it, or what is it about Japan that you think they didnt want us to be free? They were not actually allies with Germany - more of a temporary convenience.

@@jordannewman177 what gets me is the oath takers are only willing to go to some foreign land kill innocent people of no threat to them or their family, but turn around and bow down and obey the very people that will enslave your lineage. Did all the veterans forget the domestic in foreign and domestic??? It sure seems that way.

Damn I'm jealous as hell lol

RIP Woody it was an honor to meet you! I will try to never forget the sacrifice of the people who lost their lives protecting my freedom!

Taps taps Stand by for evening prayer.

Semper Fi Brave Marine.....greetings from the UK 🇬🇧 💕💕💕

My condolences sir

But to live 99 years, He’s got nothing to be ashamed about. Rest Easy Technical Sergeant Coolidge and Godspeed

Humility? Lol

Everyone smoked back then. Maybe he inhaled gasoline fumes as well though?

Yes, you can go to Iwo... and visitation is becoming more open. Know the Japanese who now control the island have removed almost all relics and have closed many caves. There are better alternatives. Consider Saipan or Peliliu. I lived on Saipan for the better part of 15 years and worked as a Chemistry teacher, among other things. What I saw and felt on that island is tattooed into my being. If you're a student of the Pacific conflict or have family who fought there... Go while you still can. it's unforgetable. Let me know if you go to Saipan. I'll set you up with people in the know.....

@@genecurrivan2799 Thanks man! I will! I'm actually taking my dad to Normandy this year. We are going to check out the Somme and Verdun as well. Hoping to do the pacific next year or 2025!

Gave Their Lives, Protecting Your's...

Now that's a crying shame! They should have carried him and his luggage all the way to his plane!!! Disrespectful government employees.

Read what happened to Joe Foss, another CMOH recipient

@@bennettrogers7921 Wow I just did, and I've read about probably all of them over the years but what those idiots did to Joe Foss should have been a crime, in part for being so ignorant that they didn't even know what the CMOH looked like or what it stood for! That Joe Foss was quite a guy! Man he was involved in enough things for 3 lifetimes!!! Thanks for bringing him up! I love reading about the CMOH winners, grew up in a military family and the things those men did are amazing!

@@bennettrogers7921 can't expect intelligence from people in Arizona.

The world really

War is an awful business. The USA stands for understanding that. Never thought I'd say this but thank God for US President Richard Milhouse Nixon.

He was also a Medal Of Honor Recipient, I wonder if they ever met, Two brave Americans no doubt about it.

Not all of us have lost that love for America. Plenty of us still love it

MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

🇺🇲 TRUMP 🇺🇲

@@cdubb642 Yeah man!! Still my president, but unfortunately the socialists stole the election. But Trump WILL be back as the president in 2024 and then we can take the country from the Democrats and put all the Democrats in prison for stealing the elections.

Well said...I agree

Great country? Looked around lately?

@@skyrizione8811 Uh ,,, Yeah!!!! Go try many others and you might find out we're still the Greatest On Earth!!! Are we perfect??? Absolutely Not...😁

@@skyrizione8811 not perfect, but not the worst.

@@skyrizione8811 the US is better then majority of the countries around the world. People are just to spoiled by it to see that

@@kureijidiamond6965 Yeah. Just look at Russia and China.

Poor man was holding back so many tears towards the end, I could feel his pain. War is not fun and this man's story is the epitome of war.

@@deterrencedispensed4780 exactly bro history just never stops repeating itself so many people sign up thinking it’s the best thing ever only to see what they got themselves in is the same sticky situation their relatives before them got in war keeps on advancing but the mindset for it never changes and that’s why I stopped trying to get into the British Royal Marines because in the end I wasn’t in the right place mentally for it and I was also convinced at that point that I’m not going to die for a government that doesn’t want to save me id just rather fight the war if it meant protecting my family and my home front until then I’ll stay away from being a governments grunt but for veterans such as this man in the video I can’t help but still have continuous respect for man like him

@@Pepper1770 Couldn't have said it better. I got out of USMC boot after a month because I seen how they have changed it and I didn't want to be apart of it. I have plenty of friends across the 5 branches of the military and I pray everyday I can text them again when I wake up. Grew up with them so it's a pretty close bond.

He talks more like a 70 year old than someone who is 96. He's obviously been blessed with good health during his long life.

He should get a statue instead of those south rebel racists !

.....seems average

@@frankcastle4715 for the time

How tall..was his spirit...height is not the measure of commitment or dedication respect.....

Had to drag his steel balls thru the sand...

Well said man... those SeeBees were absolutely amazing eh? A VERY much underrated outfit... and sadly very much unknown as well to the general public I think

thank you to your uncle paul for his service

@@brendenl25 amen

Suuuuure...

@@codiefitz3876 Sarcastic little POS

Nasty Nancy would Never allow that.

@@bobwild9995 Pelosi’s dentures would be chattering faster than her blender full of gin!

How fantastic...your father. What a life he must have had. Of course, he's your hero, and he's a hero of mine as well. How honored your family must be.

May he rest in peace with all the other heroes. Greetings from Finland! My grandfathers fought in continuation war. Never got to know them because i was so little but still proud to have their blood in my veins!

I am so sorry you lost your father. Sounds like he was quite the hero.

if only teachers still did this, now teachers get fired for trying to.

weird how its the opposite now.

@@mackk123 The best thing I ever did for my family was move to a small coastal (heavily Marine populated) community in NC. The teachers are all wonderful & understand that we are very fortunate to be American (even the purple-haired ones). Boat & beach life ain't bad either 😁

They sound like awesome men! May they rest in piece 🕊

"Last remaining" really grounds you to reality

Didn’t serve and have no plans but that medal means so much to me the hell you went through serving this country the thank yous is never enough in my opinion deserve so much more

@@wicked5999 Now there are none left from WW2. He just passed on Wednesday.

Are any of you vets willing to uphold the oath. The domestic in enemies foreign and domestic, seems to be ignored, and that's the most dangerous threat to you and your family.

@@rexracer7192 Get a job

@@Colt1911Novice what you said makes no sense, about anything. And it is true, the only people with ability to stop the people that hijacked the world and who swore they would stop those, do not. I'm confused, I always thought the point of joining was to stop tyranny.

@@rexracer7192 Did you serve or are you just a pair of lips hiding behind a screen lmao

Every American? No, this is an exceptional man unlike many Americans. I find your statement as simply bunching a lot of fat , lazy, racist Americans with this soldier. He's better.

The best channel on YT in my opinion

we need more like him, and the Canadian truckers

​@@bartlevenson7851what in the hell has a veteran of iwo jima has anything to do with the freedumb movement?

*losing