4048 gold stars each one marking 100 american military lives lost during wwii according to a release from the marine corps williams exemplified the warfighting spirit of all marines a combatproven leader whose lifelong dedication to all service members and gold star families began with his heroic actions at the battle of iwo jima the marines said in a statement his legacy as a warrior and an advocate for veterans will live on among all marines and he will be deeply missed sen joe manchin senate minority leader mitch mcconnell and sen shelley moore capito pay respects to hershel woodrow woody williams the last medal of honor show more poolgetty images the woody williams foundation a nonprofit he founded to serve gold star families announced his death on june 29 he was surrounded by family at the va medical center in west virginia that bears his name williams was preceded in death by his wife ruby and is survived by his twin daughters travie and tracie ross and five grandsons his family said that it was his wish that people continue to carry on his mission of connecting with future generations of service members family members of marine chief warrant officer 4 hershel woodrow woody williams the last surviving world war ii medal of honor recipient react as his casket lays in show more poolgetty images following his wwii service williams worked as a veterans service representative for the department of veterans affairs helping veterans and their families for 33 years more world war iiera ship emerges in lake mead amid climate impacts from his actions on iwo jima to his lifelong service to our gold star families woody has left an indelible mark on the legacy of our corps marine corps commandant gen david berger said in a statement at his passing as the last of americas greatest generation to receive the medal of honor we will forever carry with us the memory of his selfless dedication to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to our great nation woody williams 94 the only living marine medal of honor recipient from world war ii gets ready to assist with the coin toss before the nfl super bowl 52 football gam show more tony gutierrezap the uss hershel woody williams commissioned in norfolk in 2020 remains in service abc news luis martinez contributed to this report