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<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nOur buddy, Doug Sterner wrote an article about James Elliot “Willie” Williams in Vietnam Magazine, republished in History Net<\/a>. Doug says that Williams was the most decorated enlisted sailor in the history of the US Navy. According to Military Times’ Hall of Valor<\/a>, Williams earned three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars for Valor, a Silver Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, a Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor – all while assigned to River Patrol Boat 105, River Section 531, My Tho Detachment from July, 1966 – January, 1967. You should read the citations at the Hall of Valor.<\/p>\n Doug writes;<\/p>\n When Williams returned home in spring 1967, he had a list of awards unmatched by any enlisted man in Navy history. He retired after 20 years of service and began a career in the U.S. Marshals Service.<\/p>\n On May 14, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Williams with the Medal of Honor. For his lifesaving actions at the sinking Jamaica Bay, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, often called \u201cthe noncombat medal of honor.\u201d<\/p>\n During his last seven months in the Navy, Williams received every sea-service award for heroism including the Legion of Merit with \u201cV,\u201d two Navy Commendation Medals for valor and three Purple Hearts.<\/p>\n Williams died on Oct. 13, 1999, and in 2003 his widow, Elaine, watched the launching of the Arleigh Burke class destroyer, USS James E. Williams.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"