Hershel Woodrow Williams, 98, the last World War 2 Medal of Honor recipient, died Wednesday, June 29, 2022 (read story here).
During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Williams used a flamethrower to destroy a series of Japanese pillboxes stalling the American advance off the landing beaches, covered only by rifle fire from his fellow Marines. He later said he had no memory of the action.
It occurred the same day as the famous flag raising, which he witnessed.
A West Virginia native, he will lie in state at the state capitol, and U.S. and state flags will be lowered to half-mast in his honor.