FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: James Elliott Williams ~ 27 April 2026

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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.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport

[PROCON]

Good evening Kathy and thanks for honoring tonight's Hero, well deserved!

Son's over for dinner and hanging out, have fun!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Looks like you’re getting a dose of what we get down here during spring. Temps warm up but the wind cranks up, spoiling the fun.

I hope you’ve managed to squeeze in a little R&R over the weekend.

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Hope the weekend’s been a good one. Sounds like you’re wrapping it up with a good time with your son this evening.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: James Elliott Williams ~

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...enjoy the time with your son.

Our heroes must always be remembered.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...hope you have some rain on the horizon.

The street was damp this morning, but the gauge only had a few drops in it.
But we did have wind!

[luvie]

James Elliott Williams
November 13, 1930 - October 13, 1999
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.
He was a Medal Of Honor Recipient as well as all these:

WOW! What a selfless and courageous man he was!
God Rest His Eternal Soul...

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...are you almost done with April showers?

[radu]

Hey there, Kathy.

No rain today. It was pretty nice with sunshine and some clouds and a little wind. Tomorrow night could get dicey when the system over MO right now comes through. Then rain chances every day the rest of the week.

I noticed rain drops on the LH cam housing a few times overnight and wondered if it was doing it over on your side of town too. No rain today but the wind was pretty crazy at the airports. Jiggled the cam a lot.

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy. Thanks for another great bio!

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Did your feet stay warm enough to allow you to get some good sleep last night? :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, luvie, and thanks for helping honor our hero.

Did you get a good nap today? No cold feet?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mooch...are you done with winter?

My yard is almost snow free.

[ExTexasRedhead]

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgMz-zKuDSA

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The untold story of the American 8th Air Force’s bloody battle to defeat the German Luftwaffe in the months leading up to D-Day. Told through the gripping, first person accounts of three American airmen and Stars & Stripes reporter Andy Rooney, this special showcases breathtaking aerial combat—original, color footage, never before seen by most Americans—of the B-17s Flying Fortresses, P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs on missions such as Regensburg, Schweinfurt and Berlin. Never-before-seen 8mm footage of the airmen on the bases, the devastation in Germany, and the Luftwaffe perspective is also highlighted. Flying 25,000 feet above the earth in oxygen-devoid air, and temperatures as low as 50 below zero, the 8th Air Force fought a war unlike anything ever before experienced. By the end, they would suffer more than 26,000 combat deaths—more than the US Marines lost in all of World War II.

[luvie]

Hey there galz! *Yaaaawwnnn* No cold feets last night....just not enough sleep. I laid down again right after posting to our wonderful hero and just now woke back up. LOL! Still no cold feet. I had my warming bankie over them. Really helped. I'm just kinda groggy from getting up 6 minutes ago. Having a warm kitty beside you with a purring lullaby sure helps you want to keep sleeping, too, I nearly just stayed there, but knew that I'd be wide awake at. 7am, and Nightowls just don't DO that. 🤣 🦉

[radu]

LOL! I wondered where you went. Good thing you woke up and got up or you’d have been wide awake a lot earlier than 7:00!