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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: James Elliott Williams ~ April 4, 2011
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| StarCMC
Posted on 04/03/2011 5:08:47 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
~ Hall of Heroes ~ James Elliott Williams Info from here. |
![Coast Guard Seal small (better)](http://images5.fotki.com/v81/photos/1/106521/1091486/coastguard-th.jpg) |
James Elliott Williams (November 13, 1930October 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.
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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. ![](http://images54.fotki.com/v552/photos/1/106521/5161277/USS_James_E__Williams3BWms6-vi.jpg)
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; military; troopsupport
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To: E.G.C.
Howdy, EGC! We had high winds overnight, too...and much cooler
temperatures today. How CAN it go from high 80s to the 60s
in such a short time! Yeesh!
Glad you had a good visit with family and that Bo got a good
romp at the lake!
121
posted on
04/04/2011 7:05:08 AM PDT
by
luvie
(Our Constitution was made....for a moral and religious people.~~John Adams)
To: LUV W
Good morning LUV W and (((HUGS))). It was in the mid 70s and now is at 65.
122
posted on
04/04/2011 7:16:23 AM PDT
by
Arrowhead1952
(TX and MI - When the going gets tough, the dims run and hide.)
To: Arrowhead1952
Howdy, Arrow! It’s heading your way...with a stiff north wind pushing it along!
I was afraid to wake up and find that I wasn’t in Texas any more. LOL!
I guess the next destination would have been the Gulf. :)
123
posted on
04/04/2011 7:21:15 AM PDT
by
luvie
(Our Constitution was made....for a moral and religious people.~~John Adams)
To: E.G.C.
Good morning, E!
Have a most wonderful Monday!
124
posted on
04/04/2011 7:56:49 AM PDT
by
oldteen
To: ConorMacNessa
Sorry to read that you’re sick, Conor. Hope you feel better soon!
125
posted on
04/04/2011 8:05:49 AM PDT
by
luvie
(Our Constitution was made....for a moral and religious people.~~John Adams)
To: LUV W
Thanks, Luv - I go to the Dr. on Wednesday.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
126
posted on
04/04/2011 8:09:52 AM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
To: ConorMacNessa
Good...hope he can give you something to make you feel better soon!
127
posted on
04/04/2011 8:33:32 AM PDT
by
luvie
(Our Constitution was made....for a moral and religious people.~~John Adams)
To: LUV W
Thanks very much, Luv!
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
128
posted on
04/04/2011 8:35:30 AM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN '69 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!)
To: LUV W
Woo-Hoo!!Happy Anniversary, Luv!!
I'm off too today, trying to get rid of this darn cold..:=(
129
posted on
04/04/2011 10:08:00 AM PDT
by
PROCON
(Republicans: we elected you, DON'T let us down; 2011: the year of REPEAL!)
To: PROCON
Thanks, Procon! (((hugs)))
Hope you get over your cold real soon!
130
posted on
04/04/2011 10:13:07 AM PDT
by
luvie
(Our Constitution was made....for a moral and religious people.~~John Adams)
To: Kathy in Alaska
131
posted on
04/04/2011 10:55:12 AM PDT
by
blackie
(Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
To: beachn4fun
Good morning/afternoon, beachy...((HUGS))...what a morning so far. Swamped with work, but when I went to find my Canteen stuff...ALL IS GONE!! EVERYTHING I had here at work is gone!! Thankfully I kept, on a thumb drive I keep here, my stuff from 11/15/10...not really up-to-date, but I’m lucky to have them. I will update the thumb drive from home tonight to get my stuff back.
Have a wonderful rest of the afternoon and evening.
132
posted on
04/04/2011 12:05:00 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Arrowhead1952
Good afternoon, Arrowhead...((HUGS))...I sure do need breakfast. My arrival at work today was met with no internet at all...that got fixed in about an hour. (EVERYTHING WE DO IS WEB BASED.) Then when I open my Canteen folder....IT IS EMPTY! Fortunately, I have a back up from Nov 2011 that hekps, and I have some stuff I’ve sent myself in gmail. It will have to do for the day.
Thanks for food. d:o)
Hope you and Murfie had a good weekend being outside.
133
posted on
04/04/2011 12:21:37 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hmmm...sounds like an administrator didn’t like what they found on your PC...
134
posted on
04/04/2011 12:39:16 PM PDT
by
HiJinx
(Old Cold Warrior)
To: LUV W
Yup, it blew in here about 7:30 or 8:00. It’s very windy today, but should lay by late this evening.
135
posted on
04/04/2011 1:12:43 PM PDT
by
Arrowhead1952
(TX and MI - When the going gets tough, the dims run and hide.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Fortunately, I have a back up from Nov 2011 Are you living in the future?? Just kidding and (((HUGS))). I know all about the IT people deleting files.
136
posted on
04/04/2011 1:18:51 PM PDT
by
Arrowhead1952
(TX and MI - When the going gets tough, the dims run and hide.)
To: Arrowhead1952
Oops....a sign of my dismay that everything was gone.
s/b Nov 2010, just before vacation so my laptop had the same stuff as my desktop.
137
posted on
04/04/2011 1:48:22 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: HiJinx
This is the Friday message we got......
Unscheduled Maintenance Outage (Fri 4/1/11)
A number of you have reported lost files that have been (or thought to have been) saved to the “S” drive. We will be working this weekend to resolve this issue. In the mean time, here are a few steps that you can take to prevent data loss:
Save ALL files to your local hard drive, desktop or attached USB drives
Power off your computer at the end of your day
You will be notified by email once our maintenance has been completed and it is safe again to save your files to the network locations.
Thank you,
Maintenance is done and no Canteen stuff. *sniff*
S drive is where my stuff was....tonight I will upgrade to a bigger thumb drive of all my codes at home and bring it to work....and not use S drive, even tho that is where we were told to put stuff. The head IT guy knows where I spend my time and doing what. When they blocked everything, he said I could request a couple websites and he would unblock them. I asked for my own sites, as fotki is blocked and ALL my graphics are there. I’ve had to put them on my own site to see them at work. All the threads that post while I am here are mostly white space except for the words because we all use fotki for our backgrounds and graphics.
And I asked for FR....I told him a little about it and he said, “I know”. Maybe my stuff will find its way home, but even if it does, I will have my same stuff as home by morning. LOL!
138
posted on
04/04/2011 2:22:11 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: PROCON
139
posted on
04/04/2011 3:28:50 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: LUV W
Happy Anniversary, Mr & Mrs Luv W!!
![](http://patriotden.com/fotki/anniversary/HappyAnniversarybears.jpg)
Click
140
posted on
04/04/2011 3:36:17 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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