Trump Signs Jim Justice Bill Honoring Woody Williams Into Law
ARLINGTON, Texas — President Donald Trump has signed legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jim Justice that clears the way for a National Medal of Honor Monument in the heart of Washington, D.C., while honoring one of West Virginia’s most celebrated veterans.
Trump signed the Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act on Sept. 10 during a ceremony at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington. Justice attended the signing.
The legislation authorizes the planned National Medal of Honor Monument to be located within the Reserve, the protected central area of the National Mall that includes many of the nation’s most prominent monuments and memorials.
Congress had previously authorized the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients. The new law allows that memorial to move forward within one of Washington’s most significant commemorative areas.
The monument is expected to be located near the Lincoln Memorial, although the final site must still move through the federal approval process. A design competition is expected after the location is finalized.
The legislation was the first bill Justice introduced after joining the U.S. Senate. It passed the Senate by unanimous consent in March before receiving approval in the House and being sent to the president.
“Today, we got it done, and I couldn’t be prouder,” Justice said following the signing.
The legislation is named for Hershel “Woody” Williams, the West Virginia Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.
Williams was born in Quiet Dell near Clarksburg in 1923 and later joined the U.S. Marine Corps. During the fighting on Iwo Jima in February 1945, Williams repeatedly advanced against fortified Japanese positions while using flamethrowers and demolition charges to help clear the way for his fellow Marines.
President Harry S. Truman presented Williams with the Medal of Honor at the White House later that year.
Williams spent decades after the war working on behalf of veterans and Gold Star families. His foundation helped establish Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments across the United States.
Williams died in 2022 at age 98. At the time of his death, he was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.
The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation will be responsible for raising the money necessary to build the monument, with the foundation saying federal funding will not be used for construction.
Once completed, the memorial will honor the more than 3,500 Americans who have received the Medal of Honor since it was established during the Civil War.
