U.S. Navy ship to be named in honor of Hershel 'Woody' Williams

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A U.S. Navy ship will be named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams, who lives in Cabell County, West Virginia.

A special ceremony for the occasion is scheduled at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Capitol Complex in Charleston, according to information from the Secretary of Navy's Office.

The latest recognition for Williams, 91, comes after U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., recently wrote the Secretary of Navy to highlight why Williams is so deserving of the honor.

"Woody has dedicated his life to public service, and he is representative of the service and sacrifice that my great state has given to the nation," Manchin wrote. "Naming a ship for Woody will not only honor his legacy, but also the legacy of scores of West Virginia Veterans and families who have given so much to keep our nation strong."

Williams, who served in the Marine Corps, is the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima.