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HYDE-SMITH HONORS MISS. WWII MEDAL OF HONOR HEROES IN TRIBUTE TO LAST SURVIVING RECIPIENT
VIDEO: Senator Hyde-Smith Honors World War II Medal of Honor Recipients.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today saluted the World War II Medal of Honor recipients from Mississippi as part of a tribute for the last surviving veteran bestowed with that honor.
Hyde-Smith joined Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in a colloquy on the Senate floor to honor Hershel “Woody” Williams of West Virginia, who turned 98 on Oct. 2 and is the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient. The lawmakers also used the occasion to advocate for passage of S.Con.Res.3.
The following is the text of Hyde-Smith’s floor remarks:
Thank you, Mr. President. I also want to wish Woody a happy birthday, as well.
I join my colleagues today to commemorate and honor some of our nation’s most admirable warfighters in the Second World War, and I so appreciate my colleagues bringing their personal stories to the floor today.
This is something that all Americans should cherish—the stories of these heroes. We have very few of these brave heroes still among us today. It is important that they receive every ounce of recognition we can give them for their selflessness and extraordinary heroism.
I am pleased to be a cosponsor of Senator Manchin’s legislation to provide a merited celebration and commemoration of the last-living World War II Medal of Honor recipient, Woody Williams, who recently celebrated his 98th birthday.
Medal of Honor recipients, like Mr. Williams, demonstrated a courageous and noble commitment to our nation, and their exemplary actions deserve all the praise that we can give them.
I am proud to represent a state that has had several World War II Medal of Honor recipients of its own in Mississippi—Van Thomas Barfoot of Edinburg, Robert T. Henry of Greenville, James Daniel Slaton of Gulfport, Louis Hugh Wilson of Brandon, and Jack Harold Lucas of Hattiesburg, whom I still remain friends with his family today.
From Germany to Japan, these men served our nation without hesitation in the height of the Second World War, defending our nation, our allies, and the very principles of freedom. It fills my heart with great pride to call these late veterans my fellow Mississippians.
The tributes we offer today for Mr. Williams, in truth, stand for our deep appreciation for all of those who fought during World War II.
I thank my colleagues for their great work on this important recognition and the opportunity to be part of this.
Thank you, Mr. President, and I yield the floor.
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