JAMES ELLIOTT WILLIAMS, BM1c
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER
Darlington Man, Most Decorated Person in Navy, Dies
FLORENCE, SC: The death of the most decorated enlisted man in the history of
the U.S. Navy ends a legacy of pride and courage. James Elliott Williams, who
grew up in Darlington, died Wednesday morning in Florence at the age of 68.
"Hillary and I are saddened to learn of the death of James Williams," President
Bill Clinton said. "His extraordinary bravery in combat and his dedicated
service on behalf of his country were truly admirable. We send our thoughts
and prayers to his family."
Williams joined the Navy at age 16 and earned innumerable honors for his years
of service, including the Congressional Medal of Honor presented to him by
then-President Lyndon Johnson, at the Pentagon. Williams' son, James E.
Williams, Jr., said he remembers traveling up to Washington, D.C.., when his
father received the award. Though he didn't realize the significance of the
event at the time, he said he felt the impact. "He believed in being truthful,"
the younger Williams said of his father. "He was always up front. He was a
strong, take charge kind of person."
This forceful personality led Williams to an extreme act of bravery during the
Vietnam War that earned him the Congressional Medal. As a Boatswain's Mate
First Class at the Mekong Delta in Vietnam during 1965-66, he served as a boat
captain and patrol officer of a patrol riverboat. Williams was on this boat
when two Vietnamese vessels, called sampans, used to smuggle supplies, began
firing at him and his crew. They fought back and destroyed one boat. When
the other took refuge by escaping down a small stream, Williams followed.
When he rounded a bend, Williams met with a surprise. Several hundred
Vietnamese both on the shore and in boats, opened fire on the Americans near
an apparent enemy base. So Williams fired back. Before backup helicopters
arrived, Williams and his crew managed to destroy 50 sampans and seven junks.
"They were completely over-whelmed as far as strength of enemy force," Williams
son said. "But luck just smiled down on him." Williams' performance in this
battle and many others during the Vietnam and Korean Wars resulted in two
Silver Starts, three Bronze Stars and several other honors.
After retiring, Williams served as U.S. Marshal for the District of South
Carolina and various other capacities for the government. His dedication
and loyalty left an impression on his family and those who knew him.
"He gave us a sense of pride more than anything , pride in him and who he
was," his son said. "And we all felt more proud of ourselves by being
associated with him."
Florence Morning News October 14, 1999
James E. Williams served aboard The Fox from 1950-1952 as BM 3C, and spoke
to its members at the fourth Reunion in Pensacola, FL.
