World War II Veteran Presented With A Woody Williams Medal Of Honor Coin

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

May 10, 2022

Local World War II Veteran and Marine Joe Caminiti was presented with a Woody Williams Medal of Honor Coin.

Caminiti, 97, served with the U.S. Marines in World War II from 1942 to 1945. He also later served in the Korean War. During World War II, he operated one of 482 amphibious tractors which helped the troops to make a landing on Iwo Jima.

"It was hard to describe unless you were there," he said.

Following the battle, Caminiti witnessed the famous flag-raising on Iwo Jima from the nearby airstrip.

Caminiti was honored with a Patriots Day award this year on April 18 by the Veterans Strong Community Center, the Wernicki family and members of American Legion Post 2 at Manross library.

Soon after, on April 20 Neal Supranovich, past historian with American Legion Post 2, said Caminiti received a call asking him to attend a special meeting at the Iwo Jima Monument in Newington that Friday.

"When he arrived he was met by Chair Persons for the Ct. Gold Star Family Memorial Monument, Gary Roy and Marianne Mihalyo," said Supranovich. "A special meeting had been set up between Iwo Jima Survivors and the Founder of the Woody Williams Foundation. Joe was the only Iwo Jima Survivor able to attend. Woody Williams is the last living World War II Veteran to receive the Medal of Honor. He received it from the Battle of Iwo Jima."

Due to a fall, Supranovich said Williams was unable to attend the meeting and dedication of the Monument. Thus, the President and CEO of the Woody Williams Foundation, Chad Graham, grandson of Woody Williams, flew up the day before the unveiling of the Gold Star Family Monument to meet with Caminiti.

"At the Iwo Jima Monument Joe was presented with one of Woody Williams Medial of Honor Coins. Graham had carried the coin to Ct. to hand deliver it to Joe since his Grandfather was unable to do it," said Supranovich. "One side honors Williams' Medial of Honor. The reverse side honors the Naval Vessel named after him."

Caminiti also spoke with Graham about how he and Woody Williams had served in the same division.

"Joe talked with Graham, telling him about his time on the island," said Supranovich. "He showed them around the Iwo Jima Monument and his stone with his name engraved on the stone walk way. He talked about what he has been doing to honor fellow veterans."

Caminiti was then asked to attend the dedication of the Gold Star Family Monument in Berlin that Saturday as a special guest.

"Joe attended, sitting in the VIP section," said Supranovich. "Before the start of the event, Joe was presented a Woody Williams Foundation Coin by Chad Graham. Joe had volunteered for the first fund raiser to be held for the Monument. Due to Covid-19 it had been called off."

When it came time to unveil the Monument, Supranovich said Caminiti was escorted to the Monument by one of the Gold Star Family Monument Chair Persons. He stood next to both the Gold Star Chair Persons along with the President and CEO of the Woody Williams Foundation for the unveiling.

"Before leaving Berlin, Joe’s picture was taken for a special painting to be done of him by an artist traveling across country painting World War II Veterans," Supranovich added. "He had chosen Joe."

Caminiti once regularly attended reunions of other Iwo Jima survivors. Now, he said, there are very few remaining. Caminiti said that it felt good to see their legacy remembered at the unveiling of the CT Gold Star Family Memorial Monument.

"It's a very nice monument," he said. "It's just too bad that they didn't put it on Memorial Boulevard with the rest of them."

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.