Medal Of Honor Recipient Celebrates Memorial Groundbreaking At Boone Co. Schools

Hershel "Woody" Williams is one of four living Medal of Honor recipients from WWII.

Hershel "Woody" Williams visits with students at Kelly Elementary. Photo via Boone County Schools.

(Hebron, Ky.) – One of four living Medal of Honor recipients from World War II recently visited two schools in Boone County.

Hershel “Woody” Williams was at Kelly Elementary and Conner High School last week to celebrate the Northern Kentucky Gold Star Families Memorial that will be constructed at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North.

The memorial will honor the men and women that Gold Star Families have lost.

Williams helped break ground on the memorial, in addition to speaking to students at Kelly Elementary and Conner High School.

In 1945, Williams was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman, for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

In his post service life, Williams helped establish the Hershel Woody Williams Congressional Medal of Honor Educations Foundation, Inc. to honor Gold Star Families, relatives and Gold Star Children who have sacrificed a loved one in the service of their country.

Groundbreaking for the Northern Kentucky Gold Star Families Memorial. Photo via Boone County Schools.