Navy Naming Ship After West Virginia Medal of Honor Marine

Oct. 21, 2015 

NavyTimes 

WASHINGTON — The Navy has announced it will name a ship after Hershel "Woody" Williams, a West Virginia World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient. 

Multiple media outlets report that the Navy made the announcement Tuesday, months after Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., wrote a letter urging them to name a ship after Williams.

Williams says that the ship in question will be an expeditionary sea base. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called Williams on Tuesday morning to tell him the news. Williams was born near Fairmont, W.Va. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. He earned the Medal of Honor in 1945 for his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima, as well as a Purple Heart.