The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Joseph Warford Williams, Jr. (NSN: 0-72337), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SPEARFISH (SS-190) during the ELEVENTH War Patrol of that Submarine in enemy controlled waters from 31 March 1944 to 27 may 1944. By his courage, skill and determination, he aggressively delivered torpedo attacks against heavily escorted enemy shipping which resulted in the sinking of a freighter of 6,500 tons and the damaging of another freighter of 8,400 tons. Despite the face that escorts counter-attacked with gunfire and depth-charges, driving him off, he skillfully maneuvered at periscope depth to avoid damage from depth charges. Tenaciously pursuing the crippled freighter, he aggressively launched another series of torpedoes, successfully sinking that vessel. With enemy escorts bearing down upon him and enemy aircraft closing in, he immediately went deep to escape depth-charges and aerial bombs. In spite of severe enemy countermeasures, he skillfully avoided damage and brought his ship to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
All Hands (April 1966)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Joseph Warford Williams, Jr. (NSN: 0-72337), United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 21 July to 24 August 1965, as Commander Task Force SEVENTY-THREE and On-Scene Commander, U.S.S. FRANK KNOX (DDR-742) Salvage Operations, for his successful work in the development of new salvage methods and procedures.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
United States Navy Submarine (SS)Action Date:
World War II
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 02903 (November 24, 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Joseph Warford Williams, Jr. (NSN: 0-72337), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a United States Submarine on War Patrol in enemy controlled waters during World War II. By his determination, skill, and aggressiveness, he succeeded in sinking over 12,000 tons of enemy shipping and damaging over 16,000 tons. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander Williams is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Spearfish (SS-190)Action Date:
January 17 – February 29, 1944
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 02048 (May 23, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Joseph Warford Williams, Jr. (NSN: 0-72337), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SPEARFISH (SS-190), on the TENTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 17 January 1944 to 29 February 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Luzon Straits in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Commander Williams contacted an escort convoy of three freighters and with marked aggressiveness attacked, damaging one freighter. Although forced to dive, he skillfully cleared the vicinity and surfaced, tenaciously pursuing the convoy. Following up with another smashing attack, he succeeded in sinking the damaged freighter and in addition, sank another freighter and an escort in this convoy. Later in the patrol, despite strong enemy counter-measures, he skillfully and courageously delivered torpedo attacks against three convoys, successfully sinking one transport and damaging three freighters. By his intelligent analysis of enemy convoys and aggressive determination, he succeeded in sinking over 21,800 tons and damaging over 18,000 tons of enemy shipping. Although depth charged and fired upon by enemy guns he skillfully evaded severe damage and brought his ship to port safely. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Spearfish (SS-190)Action Date:
November 27 – December 13, 1943
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 01892 (May 14, 1944)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 with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Joseph Warford Williams, Jr. (NSN: 0-72337), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SPEARFISH (SS-190) during the NINTH War Patrol of that Submarine in enemy controlled waters. During the period 17 November 1943 to 13 December 1943, the SPEARFISH was engaged in photographic reconnaissance in the Marshall Islands Area. Although forced to dive on numerous occasions to avoid aerial depth bombing he maintained his vessel in proximity to the atolls as depth would allow, which resulted in the skillful and successful accomplishment of his mission in a most efficient manner. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander Williams is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)