Ronald Reese Purple Heart Vietnam
Category: U.S. Marine Corps USMC
Kirk Sendler
John Kohke
Christopher Weaver
Martin Meyer
DANIEL R. WHITTAKER
Gary Stamps
Photos not in order due to multiple cameras
Joseph Hennessy
George St John
Kenny Palmisano
Funeral Honors
Dignified Transfer of Kenny Palmisano
Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor WWII
Funeral photos and much more below. Some videos are still in editing. Check back for new uploads.
A true American hero. Hershel “Woody” Williams has passed. The last remaining WWII Medal of Honor recipient. A legend in the United States Marine Corps. Woody received the nation’s highest honor for his selfless and incredibly brave acts on Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by then President, Harry S. Truman.
Last Salute was extremely honored to know Woody. He worked tirelessly to help his fellow veterans. He helped Last Salute honor those we carry in our “Prayer Box” and fired the cannon in their honor.
Here are photos from Woody’s memorial funeral service on July 3rd 2022
Below, is the citation detailing why Hershel “Woody” Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine-gun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On one occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants, and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon. His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strongpoints encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective. Cpl. Williams’ aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Golf Battery 3/14 Memorial Service
MICHAEL BELL
Prayer Box at Parris Island
On May 3rd 2022 at 0400 hours members of Last Salute military funeral honor guard were picked up at the honor guards headquarters by the United States Marine Corps and flown to Parris Island South Carolina, the legendary location of the Marine Corps “Boot Camp”.
Last Salute and the Marine Corps joined together on a mission to honor all the fallen heroes placed into Last Salute’s Prayer Box by their families.
Each and every prayer card, photo and keepsake including many dog tags were carefully placed into an “assault pack” (military back pack). The pack was carried for the next 5 days by a member of Last Salute.
This was no ordinary simple visit to Parris Island. Last Salute and the Marine Corps wanted to honor the heroes from within the prayer box in a special way.
The assault pack and prayer box heroes were carried for recruit receiving, standing on the infamous “yellow foot prints”, morning colors at the depot’s headquarters, participation in rifle fire simulation with the new technology system, participation in live fire rifle qualification on “A” range, present at swim qualification instruction, carried over and though obstacles on the obstacle course, carried over or through more obstacles at the “crucible”, carried through the gas chamber, present for “chow” at recruit training and Fleet Marine chow halls, present for honors at the officers club on Parris Island and the officers club aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort South Carolina, carried across the flight deck and through hangars at the air station, present at the rappelling tower on Paris Island for instruction and display, walked through a number of recruit squad bays and barracks, both depot houses of worship and was even “knife handed” by a Marine Drill instructor. There were other events and exercises in which the assault pack was carried including the much dreaded “I.T.” session (AKA “quarterdecked”, “rose garden”, “the pit”, “intensive training”). The drill instructor showed little mercy as he yelled for more pushups, sit ups, jumping jacks (side straddle hops”) and mountain climbers.
The visit to Parris Island concluded with attendance at a recruit graduation ceremony.
During the visit those within the prayer box were photographed and honored by many including the Commanding General and head chaplain.
Last Salute has made a solemn promise to carry forward and honor the many heroes which loved ones have placed into our prayer box. This visit to Parris Island and the air station are part of that commitment.
Edwin Williams
