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USNS Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4)
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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.
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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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Hershel Woody Williams two daughters, Tracy Jean Ross and Travie Jane Ross christen USNS Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4), 21
October 2017, at General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego, CA.
NASSCO photo. |
Dale Hargrave |
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Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4) Christening, 21 October 2017, at General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego, CA. |
Ron Reeves |
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Hershel Woody Williams (T-ESB-4) moored pierside at General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego, CA., in 2017 |
Ron Reeves |
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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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USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB-4) arrived at Naples, Italy, for a routine logistics stop, 13 Aug.ust 2020. The ship,
which is the second of a new class of sea-basing ships, departed Naval Station Norfolk, VA. 27 July for its inaugural deployment following commissioning in March.
Her crew consists of a mix of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.
US Navy photo # 200727-N-PW494-0160 from U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa / U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs |
Lee Wahler |
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USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB-4) participates in a photo exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, 20 August 2020.
US Navy by MCSA Conner Foys |
Bob Haner |
