WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) reintroduced a resolution requesting a state funeral and authorizing the use of the Capitol rotunda for the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient. There are only two living Medal of Honor recipients remaining from WWII, including West Virginia native and Iwo Jima veteran, Woody Williams. This state funeral would not only recognize their individual service and sacrifice, but would act as a final salute to the Greatest Generation and those who wore the uniform from 1941 to 1945.
“Providing a state funeral for the last surviving WWII Medal of Honor recipient reflects the honor, respect, and gratitude we owe to an entire generation of veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. As the daughter of a proud WWII veteran, I can confidently say that our WWII veterans are part of the ‘Greatest Generation.’ I’m honored to join my colleagues in cosponsoring this resolution requesting a State Funeral for the last surviving WWII Medal of Honor recipient, while honoring all 16 million who served during WWII so Americans can properly pay tribute to the Greatest Generation,” said Senator Capito.
“Americans like Woody Williams who answered the call to service during WWII fought to ensure our democracy prevailed. Their sacrifices allowed the rest of us to enjoy the freedoms we hold sacred and helped make the United States the best country in the world,” Senator Manchin said. “Bestowing this great honor on the last surviving WWII Medal of Honor recipient would be the perfect way to come together as a nation to salute the Greatest Generation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in our efforts to honor these brave Veterans and call on President Biden to grant our request.”
“The members of the Greatest Generation answered our country’s call in the supreme emergency of World War II, and it is because of their great sacrifice that we enjoy the freedoms we do today. A state funeral for the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient is a fitting way for us to honor our veterans and show them the respect they deserve, and I hope my colleagues will join us in this effort,” said Senator Romney.
A state funeral is our nation’s highest honor bestowed upon a person posthumously. It is a seven to ten day event, consisting of ceremonies and funeral processions in the home state of the Veteran and in Washington D.C., where the honored will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda. While Congress can authorize the use of the rotunda, in order for the U.S. Military to make the arrangements for a state funeral, the President must call for one.
