The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Lewis Irving Williams, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 14 December 1966 as a pilot in Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VA-85), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63). While conducting a strike against the heavily defended Van Dien vehicle depot, five miles from Hanoi, North Vietnam, Lieutenant Williams continually maintained perfect flight integrity during extensive maneuvering in the face of adverse weather conditions, the constant threat of surface-to-air missiles, enemy fighter interceptors, and flak. Encountering severe anti-aircraft fire and numerous missiles in the target area, he held his assigned position and pressed in for the attack, accurately delivering his bombs on the assigned target and inflicting severe damage to the enemy installation. By his outstanding airmanship and courageous actions under extremely hazardous flying conditions, Lieutenant Williams made a significant contribution to the success of the strike, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Lewis Irving Williams, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 1967 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Under constant harassment from their captors, and due to the frustrations of the prisoners during their long internment, many difficult situations arose, requiring perseverance, endurance and ingenuity. Using his extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and sound judgment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Williams is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
1970 – 1973
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 Lieutenant Commander Lewis Irving Williams, Jr., United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from a period in 1970 to 1973. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 24, 1967 – March 5, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Lewis Irving Williams, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 24, 1967 until his release on March 5, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Lewis Irving Williams, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Alameda, California from June 1990 through June 1992. An inspirational leader and resourceful manager, Captain Williams continuously improved the operational readiness and quality of life of his command. Throughout his tour, he was faced with the morale threatening issue of base closure, reductions in military billets, reductions in civilian end strength, and the Department of Defense Civilian Personnel hiring freeze. Despite such obstacles, Captain Williams relentlessly and successfully pursued facility improvements and operational efficiencies. Through innovative and resourceful approaches to all issues, he was not only able to negate the deleterious effects of fiscal austerity measures, but was actually able to improve the readiness posture of his command. Captain Williams’ successes were demonstrated by the base-wide, extensive material recycling program that he instituted, the vibrant and effective safety program which he reorganized and reinvigorated, and the successful pursuit of Installation Restoration objectives. By his superior performance, managerial effectiveness, and complete devotion to duty, Captain Williams reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1967 – October 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Lewis Irving Williams, Jr., United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June to July 1967, from May 1968 to September 1969, and from December 1970 to October 1971. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 85 (VA-85)Division:
U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)Action Date:
April 24, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] Lewis Irving Williams, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 24 April 1967, as a Pilot in Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VA-85), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63). As a wingman in a four-plane A-6 strike element, Lieutenant Williams participated in a daring, air-wing, coordinated strike against the heavily defended jet interceptor base at Kep, North Vietnam. After successfully avoiding several missiles and maintaining precise combat formation, he sustained a hit by heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire and his aircraft burst into flames. Maneuvering his disabled aircraft away from the immediate target area, he ejected safely at the last possible moment and began moving rapidly toward the protection of a karst ridge about 500 yards away. When he observed a MiG interceptor closing on the unarmed A-6 which was orbiting his position, Lieutenant Williams jeopardized his own safety and chance of eventual rescue by stopping to brief the A-6 pilot via emergency radio of the impending attack. The warning permitted the A-6 pilot to outmaneuver the MiG and escape. Communications could not be established with Lieutenant Williams by strike aircraft which overflew the site six hours later. By his courage, professional airmanship, and fearless devotion to duty, he undoubtedly contributed to the escape of the A-6 aircraft, thereby upholding the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Lewis Irving Williams, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 1 August 1967. Lieutenant Commander Williams’ captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Lieutenant Commander Williams reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.