Booker, Sherrill Lead Members of New Jersey Congressional Delegation in Requesting State Funeral for Last Surviving World War II Medal of Honor Recipient

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) led all 12 other of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation in requesting President Biden grant a state funeral for Corporal Hershel "Woody" Williams, who was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. Corporal Williams, 98, passed away this morning in West Virginia.

"We, the members of the delegation from the State of New Jersey, request that you direct a state funeral for World War II (WWII) veteran, Corporal Hershel "Woody' Williams, United States Marine Corps," wrote the members in a letter to President Biden. "This effort would not only honor Corporal Williams, but also the 16 million other Americans who defended our nation and ideals in WWII."

In the letter, the lawmakers listed the names of the 16 New Jerseyans who earned the Medal of Honor while fighting in WWII, stating that these individuals "exhibited exceptional valor and courage, and they represent the spirit of all the brave service members from our state whose devotion to duty and country must be remembered."

The members concluded by stating that Corporal Williams, who served in the Battle of Iwo Jima and was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman in 1945, "was an exemplary member of the Greatest Generation and he must be treated with the respect befitting WWII's last surviving decorated hero."

The letter was cosigned by Senator Menendez (D-NJ) and Representatives Tom Malinowski (D-NJ-07), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ-10), Andy Kim (D-NJ-03), Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-09), Albio Sires (D-NJ-08), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), and Chris Smith (R-NJ-04).

Full text of the letter can be found here.

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