Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander (Lieutenant commander)

Unit:

Torpedo Bombing Squadron 47 (VT 47)

Original Citation:
“For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Flight Leader and Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Squadron FORTY SEVEN, attached to the U.S.S. Bataan, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Kyushu and the Nansei Shoto from March 18 to May 12, 1945. Completing his twentieth strike during this period, Lieutenant Commander (then Lieutenant) Williams contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on enemy shipping, airfields and installations. His skill and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander (Lieutenant commander)

Unit:

Torpedo Bombing Squadron 47 (VT 47)

Original Citation:
“For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Division Leader and Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Squadron FORTY SEVEN, attached to the U.S.S. Bataan, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa and the Japanese mainland from March 18 to 28, 1945. Completing his fifth mission over enemy-controlled territory during this period, Lieutenant Commander (then Lieutenant) Williams contributed materially to the success of his squadron in inflicting extensive damage on Japanese positions. His leadership and courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander (Lieutenant commander)

Unit:

Torpedo Bombing Squadron 47 (VT 47)

Original Citation:
“For distinguishing himself by meritorious acts while participating in aerial flight as pilot and division leader, of a carrier based torpedo bomber in attacks against enemy positions on the NANSEI SHOTO chain of islands during the period 30 March 1945 to 4 April 1945. During all these attacks he performed his assigned duties in an outstanding manner and his courage was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Received as a Gold Star for on the ribbon of the first Air Medal

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander (Lieutenant commander)

Unit:

Torpedo Bombing Squadron 47 (VT 47)

Original Citation:
“For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Flight Leader and Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Squadron FORTY SEVEN, attached to the U.S.S. Bataan, , in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto from April 6 to 28, 1945. Completing his fifth mission during this period, Lieutenant Williams contributed materially to the success of his squadron and to the infliction of damage on enemy shipping, airfields and installations. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Awarded as a Gold Star for on the ribbon of his first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander (Lieutenant commander)

Unit:

Torpedo Bombing Squadron 47 (VT 47)

Original Citation:
“For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Flight Leader and Pilot of a plane in Torpedo Squadron FORTY SEVEN, attached to the U.S.S. Bataan, , in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Japanese Mainland Islands of Kyushu, Honshu, Hokkaido and the Nansei Shoto, from March 18 to July 14, 1945. Completing his twenty-fifth mission during this period, Lieutenant Commander (then :Lieutenant) Williams inflicted extensive damage on enemy shipping, airfields and installations in the face of intense and accurate hostile antiaircraft fire and contributed greatly to the success of his squadron. His skilled airmanship and his courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Awarded as Gold Star for on the ribbon of his first Air Medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander (Lieutenant commander)

Unit:

Torpedo Bombing Squadron 47 (VT 47)

Original Citation:
“For distinguishing himself by heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight on 28 July 1945. As flight leader and pilot he skillfully and courageously led his carrier based torpedo bombers in an attack against enemy shipping in the INLAND SEA at IWAI JIMA, of the JAPAN mainland island of HONSHU. Flying over fortified enemy positions and in the face of intense as well as accurate anti-aircraft gun fire, he pressed home a bombing attack, scoring several hits on a large freighter merchant vessel which sank immediately. His courage, disregard for personal safety, and determination to inflict damage upon the enemy were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Received as a Gold Star for on the ribbon of his first DFC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander (Lieutenant commander)

Unit:

Torpedo Bombing Squadron 47 (VT 47)

Original Citation:
“For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Flight Leader and Pilot of a Torpedo Bomber in Torpedo Bombing Squadron FORTY SEVEN, attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto and the Japanese Mainland Islands of Kyushu, Honshu and Hokkaido from March 18 to August 13, 1945. Completing his thirtieth strike during this period, Lieutenant Commander (then Lieutenant) Williams led his planes on mission which resulted in the infliction of extensive damage on hostile shipping, airfields and installations. His airmanship, courage and devotion to duty in the face of intense enemy antiaircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Received as Gold Star for on the ribbon of the first Air Medal

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander (Lieutenant commander)

Unit:

Torpedo Bombing Squadron 47 (VT 47)

Awarded on:

June 29th, 1946

Original Citation:
“For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Torpedo-Bomber in Torpedo Squadron FORTY SEVEN, attached to the U.S.S. BATAAN, in action against enemy Japanese forces of the Japanese home island of Kyushu, on April 7, 1945. Leading his division in a daring strike against major units of the Japanese Fleet in the East China Sea, Lieutenant Commander (then Lieutenant) Williams pressed home repeated attacks in the face of intense antiaircraft fire and gunfire from enemy’s main battery scoring a direct hit on a hostile battleship and contributing to its subsequent sinking. By his expert airmanship, courage and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous operation, Lieutenant Commander Williams upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Photo: William Thomas Williams receiving the Navy Cross from Admiral Jocko Clark in Corpus Christi, Texas on June 29th 1946.
Williams helped sinking the Yamato in cited action.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)