INDIANAPOLIS — The 500 Festival announced that Medal of Honor Recipient, Hershel “Woody” Williams will be speaking at the 2019 500 Festival Memorial Service, presented by Rolls-Royce. The Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 24 from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Indiana War Memorial in Downtown Indianapolis. The event is free and open to the public. In addition to speaking at the Memorial Service, Williams will be visiting the site of a future Gold Star Family Memorial to be constructed in the American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis and will be riding in the 2019 IPL 500 Festival Parade.
Hershel “Woody” Williams is the sole surviving Marine from WWII to wear the Medal of Honor. Williams enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943, serving during several battles in World War II. The last battle he served in was the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division. During the battle, Williams displayed “valiant devotion to duty” and service above self as he “enabled his company to reach its objective.” Mr. Williams’ actions, commitment to his fellow service members, and heroism were recognized on October 5, 1945, when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman at the White House.
