Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
Elliott
Williams
November 13, 1930

–

October 13, 1999

Cemetery:

Florence National Cemetery

James Elliott Williams is generally considered to be the Navy’s Most-Highly Decorated enlisted man. In addition to the Medal of Honor and Navy Cross, he was awarded the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with “V”, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Three Bronze Stars with “V”, and three Purple Hearts.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class

    Regiment:

    River Section 531

    Division:

    My Tho Detachment

    Action Date:

    October 31, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Boatswain’s Mate First Class James Elliott Williams (NSN: 9908934), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action on the Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam, 31 October 1966. Petty Officer First Class Williams was serving as Boat Captain and Patrol Officer aboard River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105, River Section 531, My Tho Detachment, accompanied by another patrol boat when the patrol was suddenly taken under fire by two enemy sampans. Petty Officer First Class Williams immediately ordered the fire returned, killing the crew of one 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 two enemy junks and eight sampans augmented by heavy automatic weapons fire from ashore. In the savage battle that ensued, Petty Officer First Class 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, Petty Officer First Class 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 seven junks. This phase of the action completed, and with the arrival of the armed helicopters, Petty Officer First Class Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now virtually dark, and although Petty Officer First Class 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 Petty Officer First Class Williams, who demonstrated unusual professional skill and indomitable courage throughout the three 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.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class

    Batallion:

    River Section 531

    Regiment:

    River Squadron 5

    Division:

    Task Force 116 (TF-116)

    Action Date:

    July 23, 1966
    Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 15/PD-0101 (May 9, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Boatswain’s Mate First Class James Elliott Williams (NSN: 9908934), United States Navy, for meritorious achievement in action on 23 July 1966, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against the communist insurgent forces, as the Boat Captain of River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 of Task Force 116. When an enemy sampan was detected during the late hours of the night in enemy-dominated territory on the Cua Tieu River in the Republic of Vietnam, Petty Officer Williams, under the direction of his patrol leader, courageously pursued the sampan to within dangerously close proximity of the enemy shore. Upon being illuminated at close range, the enemy opened fire on the patrol boat. Displaying masterful seamanship and tactical use of his boat’s speed and maneuverability, Petty Officer Williams took the enemy under fire and killed six of the nine passengers, forcing the remainder to abandon their sampan in order to seek refuge ashore. He then directed his attention toward the capture of the evading enemy, and killed another of the enemy who reached the river bank. Still within hostile gun range from the shore, Petty Officer Williams captured the enemy sampan along with its cargo and documents which were of significant intelligence value. His courage under fire, initiative, and seamanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (The Combat Distinguishing Device is Authorized)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class

    Batallion:

    River Section 531

    Regiment:

    River Squadron 5

    Division:

    Task Force 116 (TF-116)

    Action Date:

    August 22, 1966
    Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 15/PD-0101 (May 9, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Boatswain’s Mate First Class James Elliott Williams (NSN: 9908934), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 22 August 1966, in connection with operations against the Viet Cong while serving as Patrol Officer for River Patrol Boats (PBR’s) 101 and 105, on the Mekong River in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early evening hours, Petty Officer Williams’ patrol came under heavy enemy fire on four occasions from nearly one hundred Viet Cong gun emplacements on both banks of the river. He courageously directed suppressive fire against the enemy and neutralized a number of the automatic-weapons emplacements. During the height of the battle, Petty Officer Williams detected and intercepted a motorized sampan with two, high-ranking Viet Cong passengers. He directed PBR 101 to cover his south flank, while PBR 105 engaged the north bank and he salvaged the contents of the sampan. Although wounded in the face during the salvage operation, he courageously continued in complete command, directing suppressive fire while withdrawing with the sampan from the kill zone. Petty Officer Williams’ aggressiveness and calmness under fire were an inspiration to all in his patrol. His determination and daring, despite overwhelming enemy fire, directly resulted in the capture of thirty-one Viet Cong top secret, twelve secret, and fifty-eight confidential documents. By his initiative and courageous actions, Petty Officer Williams upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class

    Batallion:

    River Section 531

    Regiment:

    River Squadron 5

    Division:

    Task Force 116 (TF-116)

    Action Date:

    January 15, 1967
    Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Boatswain’s Mate First Class James Elliott Williams (NSN: 9908934), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 15 January 1967 while serving with River Section 531, River Squadron FIVE, Task Force 116 (TF-116), and friendly foreign forces during combat operations against communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces on the Mekong River in the Republic of Vietnam. As Patrol Officer of a combat River Patrol Boat (PBR) patrol, Petty Officer Williams interdicted a major enemy supply movement across the Nam Thon branch of the Mekong River. He directed his units to the suspected crossing area, and was immediately taken under intense hostile fire from fortified positions and from along the river banks. After coordinating Vietnamese artillery support and U. S. Air Force air strikes, Petty Officer Williams courageously led his three PBR’s back into the hazardous river to investigate and destroy the enemy sampans and supplies. Blistering fire was again unleashed upon his forces. Frequently exposing himself to enemy fire, he directed his units in silencing several automatic-weapons positions, and directed one PBR to investigate several sampans which could be seen, while the other PBR’s provided cover fire. Almost immediately, the enemy renewed their fire in an effort to force the PBR’s away from the sampans. Petty Officer Williams ordered the destruction of the sampan and the extraction of all his units. During the fierce firefight following the temporary immobilization of one of the units, Petty Officer Williams was wounded. Despite his painful injuries, he was able to lead his patrol back through the heavy enemy fire. His patrol had successfully interdicted a crossing attempt of three heavy-weapons companies totaling nearly four hundred men, had accounted for sixteen enemy killed in action, twenty wounded, the destruction of nine enemy sampans and junks, seven enemy structures, and 2400 pounds of enemy rice. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, his unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and his utmost devotion to duty, Petty Officer Williams upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class

    Batallion:

    River Section 531

    Regiment:

    River Squadron 5

    Division:

    Task Force 116 (TF-116)

    Action Date:

    July 1, 1966
    Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet: Serial 15/PD-0101 (May 9, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Boatswain’s Mate First Class James Elliott Williams (NSN: 9908934), United States Navy, for heroic achievement on 1 July 1966 in connection with operations against the enemy while serving as Boat Captain of a River Patrol Boat (PBR) of River Squadron FIVE. When an enemy sampan was detected during the early morning darkness in enemy-dominated territory on the Mekong River in the Republic of Vietnam, Petty Officer Williams courageously pursued the sampan to within dangerously close proximity of the hostile shore. Upon being illuminated at close range, the enemy crew opened fire on the patrol boat. Displaying masterful seamanship and brilliant tactical use of his patrol boat’s superior speed and maneuverability, Petty Officer Williams evaded the enemy fire, disrupted his aid and, taking the enemy under fire, killed five of the nine occupants, forcing the remainder to abandon their sampan in order to seek refuge ashore. Still within enemy gun range from the shore, he captured the enemy sampan along with occupants of significant intelligence value. Petty Officer Williams’ courage under fire, initiative, and seamanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (The Combat Distinguishing Device is Authorized)

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate First Class

    Batallion:

    River Section 531

    Regiment:

    River Squadron 5

    Division:

    Task Force 116 (TF-116)

    Action Date:

    January 9, 1967
    Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Boatswain’s Mate First Class James Elliott Williams (NSN: 9908934), United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 9 January 1967, while serving with River Patrol Section 531 and friendly foreign forces on the Mekong River in the Republic of Vietnam. As the Patrol Officer and Boat Captain of River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 on combat patrol near My Tho when the dredge JAMAICA BAY was mined, Petty Officer Williams immediately directed his boat toward the rapidly sinking dredge and supervised his crew members in picking up two survivors from the dredge and five exhausted survivors attempting to swim in the rapidly ebbing tide current. After administering first aid, Petty Officer Williams maneuvered his boat to the sinking dredge where a metallic tapping was heard coming from within the hull. Fully aware of the dangers involved, he unhesitatingly plunged into the dark, debris-clogged river to effect the rescue of the trapped man. The man was guided to a hatch sixty feet away and four feet beneath the waterline where Petty Officer Williams repeatedly dived under the water to clear the hatch which was blocked by two pipes firmly wedged into place. Upon learning that little air remained in the heavily listing dredge, Petty Officer Williams called for a line and bent it around the pipes so that a tug could pull the obstructions free. He quickly swam through the hatch with his crewmember, located the victim, and pulled him back through the hatch to the surface, thus saving the man’s life. Petty Officer Williams’ courageous, competent, and efficient actions and forceful leadership in directing the rescue effort, and in particular, in effecting the rescue of an elderly man trapped within the sinking dredge, at great risk to his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.