Congressman Blake Moore joined President Trump at the National Medal of Honor Museum for the signing of the Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act. The legislation serves as the final legislative step to establish a location on the National Mall for a monument dedicated to America's Medal of Honor recipients.
The legislation was introduced by Representative Blake Moore (R-UT) and Representative Marc Veasey (D-TX). According to a press release from Moore's office, the act is named after Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient to pass away.
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) stated that he looks forward to working with the administration to place the monument near the Lincoln Memorial. Westerman noted that the monument would be a fitting continuation of the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, who was the first president to present the Medal of Honor on behalf of Congress during the Civil War.
The National Medal of Honor Monument Act was previously led through the legislative process by Moore and Veasey during the 117th Congress and was signed by President Biden in December of 2021. The current act authorizes the specific location for the monument in Washington, D.C.
Hershel Williams was a Marine who distinguished himself during the Iwo Jima landings on February 21, 1945. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman for his actions in destroying enemy pillboxes to assist American infantry and tanks. Williams lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in the summer of 2022.
