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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

created by Don Mc Grogan

USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB-4)
ex
USNS Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-3) (2015 - 2020)

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Commissioned, USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB-4), 7 March 2020, CAPT. David L. Gray, Jr. USN (Blue) in command

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Specifications:
Displacement 35,087 t.(lt) 106,692 t.(fl)
Length 785'
Beam 164'
Draft 36 ft
Speed 15 kts

Complement

CivMar 34

Armament none

Cargo Capacities unknown

Propulsion

Diesel-electric

two propellers

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Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Source
USNS Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4)
	114k	Namesake Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams, born 2 October 1923, is a retired United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. He is also the last surviving recipient of the Medal of Honor from that battle. Citation 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 4 riflemen, he fought desperately for 4 hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out 1 position after another. On 1 occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower 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.
	80k	Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4) float out (launching), 19 August 2017, at General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego, CA.		Ron Reeves
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	191k	Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4) Christening, 21 October 2017, at General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego, CA.		Ron Reeves
	111k	Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4) moored pierside at General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego, CA., in 2017		Ron Reeves
	68k	Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4) gets under way from the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, CA. to start her first round of sea trials, 17 January 2018. NASSCO photos		Gerhard Mueller-Debus Ron Reeves Lee Wahler
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USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB-4)

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There is no DANFS history available for USNS Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4) at NavSource

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Commanding Officers USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB-4) Blue
01	CAPT. Gray, Jr., David L. USN	7 March 2020 -

Wolfgang Hechler

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Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) / Expeditionary Mobile Base (ESB)
Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) Fact Sheet

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 20 March 2020