Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. Boatswain’s Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. On the night of 31 October 1966 BM1 Williams was overseeing patrols on the Mekong River, Vietnam when his two-boat patrol was attacked by two sampans. He ordered return fire that killed the crew of one enemy boat and sent the other fleeing to an inlet. In the counterattack, he exposed himself to fire from snipers along the river bank and from a large concentration of enemy boats that joined the battle. He moved his boats close to shore to press the attack. The two American boats destroyed 65 enemy boats and inflicted many casualties in a battle that lasted three hours and left Williams with a wound near his right kidney. In addition to the Medal of Honor, BM1 Williams also was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, and the Navy Commendation Medal. He also received three Purple Hearts and was twice awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for rescue operations under fire. James E. Williams is one of the most highly decorated sailors in Navy history.
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. Boatswain’s Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. On the night of 31 October 1966 BM1 Williams was overseeing patrols on the Mekong River, Vietnam when his two-boat patrol was attacked by two sampans. He ordered return fire that killed the crew of one enemy boat and sent the other fleeing to an inlet. In the counterattack, he exposed himself to fire from snipers along the river bank and from a large concentration of enemy boats that joined the battle. He moved his boats close to shore to press the attack. The two American boats destroyed 65 enemy boats and inflicted many casualties in a battle that lasted three hours and left Williams with a wound near his right kidney. In addition to the Medal of Honor, BM1 Williams also was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, and the Navy Commendation Medal. He also received three Purple Hearts and was twice awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for rescue operations under fire. James E. Williams is one of the most highly decorated sailors in Navy history.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
MEDAL OF HONOR
BMC US NAVY
KOREA VIETNAM
NC SSM LM
N&MCM BSM
PH & 2 OLC NCM
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Williams memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
