FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: James Elliott Williams ~ 27 March 2017

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

James Elliott Williams

Info from here.

           

James Elliott Williams (November 13, 1930–October 13, 1999) was a sailor of the United States Navy during the 1950s and 1960s. He was the most highly decorated enlisted man in the history of the United States Navy.

Williams was born in Fort Mill, South Carolina and moved two months later with his parents to Darlington, South Carolina where he spent his early childhood and youth. He attended the local schools and graduated from St. John's high school. He was married to the former Elaine Weaver and they had five children and seven grandchildren. He is buried at the Florence National Cemetery in Florence, South Carolina.

In July 1947, at the age of 16, he entered the United States Navy where he served for twenty years, retiring in April 1967. During those twenty years he served in both the Korean and Vietnam War.

In Vietnam, the petty officer was assigned to the River Patrol Force whose mission was to intercept Viet Cong arms shipments on the waterways of South Vietnam's Mekong Delta. On October 31, 1966, Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Williams, patrol commander for his boat, River Patrol Boat 105, and another PBR was searching for Viet Cong guerrillas operating in an isolated area of the Mekong Delta. Suddenly, Communist guerrillas manning two sampans opened fire on the Americans. When Williams and his men neutralized one boat crew, the other one escaped into a nearby canal. The PBR sailors gave chase and soon found themselves in a beehive of enemy activity as Viet Cong guerrillas opened up with rocket propelled grenades and small arms against the Americans from fortified river bank positions.

Against overwhelming odds, several times Williams led his PBRs against concentrations of enemy junks and sampans. He also called for support from the heavily armed UH-1B Huey helicopters of Navy Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3, the "Seawolves." When that help arrived, he kicked off another attack in the failing light, cleverly turning on his boats' searchlights to illuminate enemy forces and positions. As a result of the three-hour battle, the American naval force killed numerous Viet Cong guerrillas, destroyed over fifty vessels, and disrupted a major enemy logistic operation. BM1 Williams not only displayed great courage under fire, but a keen understanding of how his sailors, weapons, and equipment could be used to achieve victory.

On May 14, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson, in the name of Congress, presented Williams the Medal of Honor. His other awards include the Navy Cross, Silver Star (with one gold award star), the Legion of Merit with Valor Device, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal with gold award star, Bronze Star with Valor device and two gold award stars, Purple Heart with two gold award stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor device and gold award star, Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation with bronze service star, the Navy Good Conduct Medal with four bronze service stars, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars.

His foreign decorations include the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star and Palm, United Nations Korean Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and (not shown) the Korean War Service Medal.

Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate First Class (PO1c.), United States Navy, River Section 531, My Tho, RVN,
Place and date: Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam, October 31, 1966.
Entered service at: Columbia, S.C.
Born: June 13, 1930, Rock Hill, S.C.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. BM1 Williams was serving as Boat Captain and Patrol Officer aboard River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 accompanied by another patrol boat when the patrol was suddenly taken under fire by 2 enemy sampans. BM1 Williams immediately ordered the fire returned, killing the crew of 1 enemy boat and causing the other sampan to take refuge in a nearby river inlet. Pursuing the fleeing sampan, the U.S. patrol encountered a heavy volume of small-arms fire from enemy forces, at close range, occupying well-concealed positions along the river bank. Maneuvering through this fire, the patrol confronted a numerically superior enemy force aboard 2 enemy junks and 8 sampans augmented by heavy automatic weapons fire from ashore. In the savage battle that ensued, BM1 Williams, with utter disregard for his safety exposed himself to the withering hail of enemy fire to direct counter-fire and inspire the actions of his patrol. Recognizing the overwhelming strength of the enemy force, BM1 Williams deployed his patrol to await the arrival of armed helicopters. In the course of his movement he discovered an even larger concentration of enemy boats. Not waiting for the arrival of the armed helicopters, he displayed great initiative and boldly led the patrol through the intense enemy fire and damaged or destroyed 50 enemy sampans and 7 junks. This phase of the action completed, and with the arrival of the armed helicopters, BM1 Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now virtually dark, and although BM1 Williams was aware that his boats would become even better targets, he ordered the patrol boats' search lights turned on to better illuminate the area and moved the patrol perilously close to shore to press the attack. Despite a waning supply of ammunition the patrol successfully engaged the enemy ashore and completed the rout of the enemy force. Under the leadership of BM1 Williams, who demonstrated unusual professional skill and indomitable courage throughout the 3 hour battle, the patrol accounted for the destruction or loss of 65 enemy boats and inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy personnel. His extraordinary heroism and exemplary fighting spirit in the face of grave risks inspired the efforts of his men to defeat a larger enemy force, and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Williams retired from active service in 1967 and was employed with the Wackenhut Corporation. In 1969, he was appointed U. S. Marshal for the District of South Carolina where he served until May 1977. He was then transferred to Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia as an instructor and National Armorer. He was called back to South Carolina in July 1979 under court appointment as U. S. Marshal for South Carolina and served in that position until April 1980. He was then transferred to U. S. Marshal service Headquarters, Washington, D. C. as Programs Manager, Health and Safety and In-District Training Officer where he served until his retirement from the U. S. Marshals Service with the grade of GS-18.

USS James E. Williams (DDG-95) was named in his honor.

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, mountainlion...no place to hide on the river for sure.

We thank you and your friends for their service to our country.

My driveway is almost ice free. Weather man says snow everyday for the next week, but high 30s and mid 40s all week. Won’t stick around long.

Is your spring here to stay?

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Have a good day? Was it nice enough to do outside things again?

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Were you able to get more things on your list accomplished today? Or were you kept busy shooing “them” away?

[PROCON]

Hi radu!

Brrr, it was cold, 40's today and raining, so I just stayed inside and relaxed. Upcoming week should have a few days of blissful sunshine.

Did you get your late night shopping done yesterday? Kittehs behavin'?

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

I know. Late again.

((((HUGS))))

[radu]

Howdy do, Conor. *Hugz*

Hope your day was a good one.
Did Mrs. MacNessa have a large time while in FL?

[radu]

Howdy, LUV.

Are you home now? Have an uneventful trip back?

[radu]

Oooooo BRRR! Rain and 40 degrees is definitely stay inside weather. Can’t blame ya for just kicking back for the day.

We had temps in the upper 60s and sunshine in and out. Would have liked to have spent tie doing stuff in the yard but went to visit Aunt Clara instead. After the week she had, who knows when a visit might be the last one?

I did finally get to do the shopping late last night. The rain stopped around 1:30 a.m. and off I went.

Some of the kittehs have behaved this evening and others are being brats. A typical evening here. LOL

[Kathy in Alaska]

I am in complete sympathy with Grumpy. I’m not ready for Monday.

[luvie]

Hey, there, radu!

I’m staying with lauren for the night. I just didn’t want to drive 5 more hours into the hot Texas sun after already being in the car for a few hours. She is kind enough to let me bunk here. We’re both just chillin’ in our separate rooms, winding down from an emotional week.

How was your weekend? Did you get any more rain?

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Radu!

*HUGS*

A good day, thanks. Mrs. MacNessa had a good time in FL.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[luvie]

Howdy, SD!

FR’s been that way since the “white out” we had a couple or so of months ago all weekend. I WISH they’d get the darn thing fixed.

It isn’t your computer. LOL!

[radu]

I’m so jealous! LOL! Though it wasn’t for the most pleasant of reasons, you’ve spent the weekend with FReepers and that had to be fun regardless. Nice if lauren to let you stay for the night rather than push on for home in that heat.

No rain today but we ended up with .9 an inch last night. It was gentle rain and it all soaked in, and does the plant life ever show it today! The wheat grew noticeably and went to seed since yesterday and the maple trees spit out their little tassels FULL of pollen. ah-CHOO! The cars are green with the stuff today. YUCK!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS)),,,I’m still having s l o w issues with Fr, and causing some double posts.

Oh well....when next do you head to Denver? Did you get your March hours?

[luvie]

Whoo...I nearly started sneezing just from reading about all that pollen! There was something in Houston that was causing my allergies to spike!

Nearly and inch! That’s great! And the soaking rain is much more helpful to plant life than a heavy rain with lots of yukky wind!

It was wonderful to see those who got to come support themom and her kids and this devastating time in their lives. I think they were genuinely happy to see so many that made it! It was a VERY informal get-together at their home and we told lots of stories about Eaker through the years. Most of them knew him longer than I have, and I’ve known him for nearly 12 years.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I’ve been battling the slow part for weeks. Weird is right.

[radu]

We’ve had a couple of windows open slightly the past few days and nights and my sinuses were plugged when I woke up today. I knew there were changes outside since yesterday but was shocked to see how much. I went outside a minute ago with a flashlight and you should see all the stuff floating past the beam. No wonder we can’t breathe!
And it’s just getting started. *sigh*

Yes, we got a perfect rainfall last night. No wind, just rain. Probably not going to be the case tomorrow though. There’s a system moving out of OK right now into AR and that’s headed here. They say some severe storms are expected as it moves through. There are severe storms in it tonight.

It sounds like there was a good turnout this weekend and that’s good to hear. It’s a good bet that it was deeply appreciated by themom and the kids. Had to be a big boost during this trying time.

[luvie]

There were supposed to be severe storms on Friday when we were heading south and though others at the gathering said they had high winds, etc, we just passed through one semi-heavy rain that slowed us down but didn’t stop us. I was wishing it was at home. LOL!

Those maples must be nasty with pollen. Hope they get it all done in a few days! Or you can take extra allergy meds! Yuk!

[radu]

The system Fri. was still a fairly narrow band while in TX and widened by the time it reached us. Fortunately it had calmed down by the time it got here and just gave us a nice rainfall.

This new system is bigger and stronger already. We hope any bad storms miss us again. We got lucky last Tues. but folks less than 10 miles from us weren’t so lucky.

Glad you didn’t have to drive through any bad storms. That just isn’t fun at all.

The maples are just getting started so we have a while to deal with them. Plus the pines, and the oaks, and a lot of other trees. And the grass. LOL! One of the drawbacks to living in an area that’s so full of green. Just have to grin and bear it, and buy LOTS of tissues and nose spray! :-)

[luvie]

Maybe the desert isn’t so bad after all! LOL! I’m not allergic to mesquite.

Hope you guys dodge the bullet on the next round of storms, too. Rain is great....damaging wind and hail, not so much!