Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    301st Tank Battalion

    Division:

    Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29, 1918

    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 5 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Frank J. Williams, Jr. (ASN: 642401), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Sergeant Williams distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 301st Tank Battalion, Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Ronssoy, France, 29 September 1918. Although himself seriously wounded, he dressed the wounds of an officer and remained with him throughout the day under heavy enemy fire.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    301st Tank Battalion

    Division:

    Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 4, 1923

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Frank J. Williams, Jr. (ASN: 642401), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 301st Tank Battalion, Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ronssoy, France, 29 September 1918. While operating against the enemy, Sergeant Williams’ tank received a direct hit, killing or wounding the entire crew. Although severely wounded, Sergeant Williams assisted his tank commander, who was severely wounded and temporarily blinded, to a position of shelter in the gap of a near-by trench. He then returned to his tank and under heavy fire continued to operate a 6-pounder against the enemy until driven out by armor-piercing shells. He then assisted in the operation of a machine gun against heavy enemy fire from a trench that lay between them and our first line. When it became sufficiently dark, he aided his tank commander to a first-aid station. His courage and heroic actions throughout the day were largely responsible for saving the life of the officer commanding his tank.