Governor Kate Brown orders flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of World War II Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel W. “Woody” Williams.

Williams passed away Wednesday morning and was the last living recipient of the WWII Medal of Honor.

Denis McDonough, who is the secretary of Veterans Affairs, said America has lost "one of its bravest heroes," while veterans lost "one of their staunchest advocates."

“Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams was the embodiment of an American patriot. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Battle of Iwo Jima, where he displayed the ‘valiant devotion to duty’ and heroism that earned him the Medal of Honor,” said Governor Brown. “After World War II, he dedicated himself to helping others who served by working as a veteran service representative in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for more than 30 years. Dan and I are keeping his family and loved ones in our thoughts," Governor Brown wrote.