SOCNET

Go Back   SOCNET - The Special Operations Community Network > Legacy > Medal of Honor

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 August 2003, 15:57
Frog's Avatar
Frog Frog is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 5,800
BMC James Elliott Williams

My friend and Hero,


WILLIAMS, JAMES E.

The most highly decorated enlisted man in the Navy. Here's just one of his many awards:

Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate First Class (PO1c.), U.S. Navy, River Section 531, My Tho, RVN,

Place and date: Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam, 31 October 1966.

Entered service at: Columbia, S.C. Born: 13 June 1930, Rock Hill, S.C.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. PO1c. 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. PO1c. 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, PO1c. 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, PO1c. Williams deployed his patrol to await the arrival of armed helicopters. In the course of his movement his 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, PO1c. Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now virtually dark, and although PO1c. 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 PO 1 c. 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.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 August 2003, 16:39
Frog's Avatar
Frog Frog is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 5,800
1968 Article

http://www.news.navy.mil/media/allha...t/ah196806.pdf

go to page 4.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 August 2003, 18:19
Frog's Avatar
Frog Frog is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 5,800
Pic taken at SBU-20 16 July 1997 by CWO Davila
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 August 2003, 20:15
SN's Avatar
SN SN is offline
Old and Broke
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: The GREAT State of Texas
Posts: 6,052
Frog,

Very inspiring. BMC Williams (and others like him) are reasons we win our wars. The All Hands article is an excellent read. Thanks for posting this.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 January 2020, 21:43
usmc_3m's Avatar
usmc_3m usmc_3m is offline
Abnormal User
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Here
Posts: 3,715
Apologies for the major necro-post, but I just came across BMC James Elliot Williams' story on the We Are the Mighty web site - and I knew his story had to be posted here. What a bad ass.

In addition to the MOH, Williams other awards include:
- Navy Cross
- Silver Star w/ gold star
- Legion of Merit w/ V
- Bronze Star w/ V and 2 gold stars
- Purple Heart w/ 2 gold stars

How did this guy walk upright with all that hardware on his chest?
Unbelievable warrior.
__________________
"He who does not punish evil commands that it be done." -- Leonardo Da Vinci

That's when you find out that you're better off makin' sure your soul's alright” -- Prince
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 January 2020, 23:28
CPTAUSRET's Avatar
CPTAUSRET CPTAUSRET is offline
BTDT
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Iowa City, Iowa...
Posts: 10,463
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frog View Post
My friend and Hero,


WILLIAMS, JAMES E.

The most highly decorated enlisted man in the Navy. Here's just one of his many awards:

Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate First Class (PO1c.), U.S. Navy, River Section 531, My Tho, RVN,

Place and date: Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam, 31 October 1966.

Entered service at: Columbia, S.C. Born: 13 June 1930, Rock Hill, S.C.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. PO1c. 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. PO1c. 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, PO1c. 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, PO1c. Williams deployed his patrol to await the arrival of armed helicopters. In the course of his movement his 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, PO1c. Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now virtually dark, and although PO1c. 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 PO 1 c. 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.
My Tho was in my AO, and I was flying T-Bird gunships out of Soc Trang at the time. We could have been the ones responding.

Regardless, what a STUD!
__________________
"IF THOU STRIKETH THE KING, STRIKE NOT TO WOUND":
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 January 2020, 13:49
bm2bob's Avatar
bm2bob bm2bob is offline
Been There Done That
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: the Road to Happy Destiny
Posts: 1,450
He got the MOH for running over motherfuckers in a boat. Fuckin' A Boats. What a legacy for Boatswain's Mates and Boat Guys. I stand on the shoulders of giants.

I remember reading his citation when I was reading Brown Water, Black Berets by Tom Cutler before I went to SWCC. I remember reading that when LBJ gave him his MOH he had to struggle to put it on him "Damn, Boats you got a big neck."

Then I went to 20 and got to meet him several times.

Fair Winds Boats....
__________________
...the sea's in my veins...my tradition remains..."
Mother Mother Ocean, I have heard your call..."

Fair Winds and Following Seas SOTB & Cass
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Our new posting rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:07.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
All Rights Reserved SOCNET
© SOCNET 1996-2023

Top