Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Samuel
Tankersley
Williams
August 25, 1897

–

April 26, 1984

Cemetery:

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

Samuel Tankersley Williams was prominent in Army history for being reduced in rank from brigadier general to colonel during World War II, and then reviving his career, overcoming that embarrassment and achieving Lieutenant General rank while serving in both Korea and Vietnam.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    January 1955 – August 1960
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 35 (September 7, 1960)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Samuel Tankersley Williams (ASN: 0-8472), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States during the period January 1955 to August 1960. From January to October 1944, General Williams served as Deputy Commanding General and later as Commanding General of the Fourth United States Army. In this important assignment, his administrative excellence, marked professional ability and dynamic leadership made material contributions to the smooth and orderly accomplishment of military objectives, and to the smooth and orderly accomplishment of military objectives, and to the effective resolution of diversely complex command problems. General Williams culminated his brilliant career as Chief of the United States Military Assistance Advisory Group to Vietnam. In this high level, sensitive key position, his superior performance of duty made a significant impact upon the security position of the Free World in Southeast Asia. Assuming this assignment at a time when the Communists were consolidating their position for further attempts to infiltrate all of Vietnam, General Williams’ keen diplomacy, firm direction and thorough understanding of the many military and political implications involved, established highly definitive guidelines which assisted Vietnam in effectively reorganizing its military forces to develop a solid resistance to the Communist effort. His superior judgment, excellent organizational ability and outstanding direction resulted in the emergence of the military forces of Vietnam as an effective element in the promotion of internal security, in discouragement of Communist aggression, and in the attainment of a high degree of national security for that country. The bond of mutual trust and cooperation established and maintained between the people of Vietnam, their government and the United States was attributable in large measure to General Williams’ untiring efforts and intense personal interest. His long and distinguished performance of duty represents significant achievement in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflects the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Division:

    90th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 15, 1944
    Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 62 (September 26, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Samuel Tankersley Williams (ASN: 0-8472), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy on 15 June 1944, in France. Colonel Williams joined an assault company of the 90th Infantry Division in an attack on Gourbesville. Upon reaching the town, elements of the company stopped moving forward and took cover behind a stone wall when they came under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire. Observing this, Colonel Williams took the lead and, completely exposing himself to the intense enemy small arms fire, stepped out into the road and engaged the enemy with his carbine. Turning to the men he told them to move forward with him. He led them through the center of the town in the face of the heavy enemy automatic weapons fire and remained in the front of this part of the assault until it had joined up with the other elements of his company. The personal bravery and gallantry displayed by Colonel Williams reflects credit on himself and the military service.

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    90th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 7, 1944
    Headquarters, 90th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 448 (May 15, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Brigadier General Samuel Tankersley Williams (ASN: 0-8472), United States Army, for heroism aboard the United States transport SUSAN B. ANTHONY in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy, France, on 7 June 1944. General Williams, Assistant Division Commander of the 90th Infantry Division, was the senior army officer on board the transport when it struck a mine. General Williams was everywhere, playing a vital role in maintaining order and discipline. He personally visited the darkened smoke-filled hold to insure that all injured personnel were evacuated and that all available arms were recovered. From the stern of the rapidly sinking ship he directed the evacuation of troops to rescue craft and at risk of his life refused to leave the ship until all troops had been safely cleared to the last man. His selfless courageous devotion to duty was instrumental in the successful evacuation of the troop ship without a single loss of life.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 5 – 29, 1953
    Headquarters, I Corps, General Orders No. 146 (June 27, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major General Samuel Tankersley Williams (ASN: 0-8472), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commanding General, 25th Infantry Division, near Munsan-ni, Korea. During the period 5 May to 29 May 1953, his Division was committed to the defense of an extremely wide front which demanded the highest perfection in the details of the organization and fortification of each position on this long line. In the face of heavy daily mortar and artillery fire falling in an unpredictable pattern on the front lines, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, General Williams visited every front line position and important combat post and fighting position. The information gained by his repeated personal visits to the front lines and outposts enabled General Williams to coordinate the disposition of troops and improve the deployment of fire power and to inspire his subordinate commanders and soldiers to a heroic labor in fortification which greatly increased the strength and security of the Division’s positions. General Williams’ gallant conduct and superior professional ability displayed during many contacts with officers and soldiers in front line trenches and on the outposts with utter disregard for his personal safety, was an inspiration to his officers and soldiers and created in them the utmost confidence in their fighting ability. This strong confidence enabled elements of the Division to repel strong enemy attacks on its lines on 16 May 1953 and again on 28 – 29 May 1953, and inflicted two severe defeats on large enemy forces with minimum loss to friendly troops. His gallantry reflected great credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1953
    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 710 (July 30, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General Samuel Tankersley Williams (ASN: 0-8472), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division. Major General Williams distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chu-Dong, Korea, on the morning of 15 July 1953. On that date, General Williams was advised of a large-scale enemy attack consisting of six hostile divisions and extending the width of the corps front. He immediately contacted all available sources of information in an effort to coordinate the defense. The reports he received were confused because of the scope of the battle, and General Williams realized that only through personal observation would he be able to secure the data he needed. Consequently, he flew in a helicopter to the scene of the battle. Dipping repeatedly to within a few feet of the hostile positions, General Williams noted the disposition of the foe without regard for the heavy fire directed against his craft. At one point, a bullet ripped through the plastic canopy of the helicopter, narrowly missing him. However, even this did not cause him to turn back. Instead, he passed again and again over the battle area until satisfied that he had gathered sufficient information upon which to base an effective defense. Only then did he return to his command post to plan and coordinate a counter operation which substantially reduced the fighting potential of the hostile force through the tremendous casualties they suffered. The extraordinary heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by General Williams throughout this action reflect the greatest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the most esteemed traditions of the military profession. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Major General Williams on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1952 – November 10, 1954
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 11 (February 8, 1955)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Samuel Tankersley Williams (ASN: 0-8472), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, 25th Infantry Division, Deputy Commanding General, II Republic of Korea Corps; Commanding General, XVI Corps (Group); and Deputy Army Commander, Eighth Army, in Korea and Japan, from 18 July 1952 to 10 November 1954. General Williams maintained operational control over the Turkish Brigade, skillfully integrated thousands of Korean combat and service personnel and Puerto Rican increments into the Division and, through the media of training programs under realistic field conditions, exploitation of sound tactical concepts and expert guidance, attained excellent teamwork which was reflected in combat effectiveness and high morale of officers and men. He advocated and developed specific type instruction schools to insure qualified noncommissioned officer and specialist replacements for personnel released through rotation and normal separation criteria, and sponsored the publication of a division newspaper which enhanced esprit de corps and amity among the troops. Under his guidance roads were improved and augmented to facilitate flexibility of movement during tactical maneuvers, defensive positions were fortified to thwart long-scale offensives in the division’s sector, and aggressive patrolling actions and supporting fires were expertly coordinated, enabling maximum destruction of enemy personnel and equipment. General Williams’ eminent achievements and exemplary at ions contributed significantly to the operational success and fighting renown of the “Lightning” Division. During the spring offensive of 1953, he was assigned Deputy Commanding General, II Republic of Korea Corps, to defend a sector of vital strategic significance and, through tactical skill and forceful leadership, contained intensive hostile assaults and circumvented a breakthrough on the Eighth Army main line of resistance. Designated Commanding General, XVI Corps, and later IX Corps (Group), in the post hostilities period, his resolute surveillance to search out and correct weaknesses of deficiencies were manifested in high standards of efficiency and combat readiness. As Deputy Army Commander, he contributed greatly to the planning and conduct of training in the Republic of Korea Army. General Williams’ notable achievements reflect utmost credit upon himself and the military service.