James E. Williams
U.S. Navy
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond he call of duty. PO1c James E. Williams was serving as Boat Captain and Patrol Officer aboard River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 accompanied by another patrol boat when the patrol boat was suddenly taken under fire by two (2) enemy sampans. PO1c Williams immediately ordered the fire returned, killing the crew of one (1) enemy boat and causing the other sampan to take refuge in a nearby river inlet. Pursuing the fleeing sampan, the U.S. patrol encountered a heavy volume of small arms fire from enemy forces, at close range, occupying well-concealed positions along the riverbank. Maneuvering through this fire, the patrol confronted a numerically superior force aboard two (2) enemy junks and eight (8) sampans augmented by heavy automatic weapons fire from ashore. In the savage battle that ensued, PO1c Williams, with utter disregard for his safety, exposed himself to the withering hail of enemy fire to direct counter-fire and inspire the actions of his patrol. Recognizing the overwhelming strength of the enemy force, PO1c Williams deployed his patrol to wait the arrival of the armed helicopters. In the course of his movement he discovered an even larger concentration of enemy boats. Not waiting for the arrival of the armed helicopters, he displayed great initiative and boldly led the patrol; through the intense fire and damaged or destroyed fifty (50) enemy sampans and seven (7) junks. This phase of the action completed, and with the arrival of the armed helicopters, PO1c Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now virtually dark, and although PO1c Williams was aware that his boats would become even better targets, he ordered the patrol boats’ search lights turned on to better illuminate the area and moved the patrol perilously close to shore to press the attack. Despite a waning supply of ammunition the patrol successfully engaged the enemy ashore and completed the rout of the enemy force. Under the leadership of PO1c Williams, who demonstrated unusual professional skill and indomitable courage throughout the three-hour battle, the patrol accounted for the destruction or loss of sixty-five (65) enemy boats and inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy personnel. His extraordinary heroism and exemplary fighting spirit in the face of grave risks inspired the efforts of his men to defeat a larger enemy force, and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.Warrant Officer II Kevin A. Wheatley distinguished himself on 13 November 1965, while attached for duty with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Warrant Officer II Wheatley was acting as an advisor to a Vietnamese Civilian Irregular Defense Group on a search and destroy mission in the Tra Bong Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The patrol came into contact with Viet Cong elements. Another Australian advisor, Warrant Officer II Swanton, was hit in the chest by Viet Cong fire, and Warrant Officer II Wheatley moved under intense fire in an attempt to drag his comrade to safety. Successful, he and a Vietnamese member of his group carried the wounded man to safety in a wooded area 200 meters away. The Viet Cong, swarming the area, had advanced in a matter of minutes, within 10 meters of the men. The Vietnamese soldier urged Warrant Officer II Wheatley to flee, but he refused. His ammunition expended, he was last seen taking two hand grenades from his belt, pulling the pins, and calmly holding one in each hand waiting for the approaching Viet Cong. Shortly after, two grenades were heard, followed by two short bursts of fire. The bodies of the Australians were found the next morning side-by-side, dead of gunshot wounds. Warrant Officer II Wheatley"s refusal to leave his wounded comrade, even in the face of certain death, was an act od heroism, determination and unflinching loyalty in the face of the enemy that will stand as a testimony to the true meaning of valor.' WHERE `ID` = 856; UPDATE `specialopsmemorial`.`tblwall` SET `Description` = 'Second Lieutenant Williams distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, while defending the Special Forces Camp against a violent attack by hostile forces, that lasted for 14 hours. Second Lieutenant Williams was serving as the executive officer of the Special Forces Detachment when an estimated Viet Cong reinforces regiment struck the camp and threatened to overrun it and the adjacent District Headquarters. He awoke personnel, organized them, determined the source of the insurgents" main effort and led the troops to their defensive positions on the south and west walls. Then, after running to the District Headquarters to establish communications, he found there was no radio operational with which to communicate with his commanding officer in another compound. To reach the other compound, he traveled through darkness but was halted in this effort by a combination of shrapnel in his right leg and the increase in Viet Cong gunfire. Ignoring his wound, he returned to the District Headquarters and directed the defense against the first assault. As the insurgents attempted to scale the walls, and as some of the Vietnamese defenders began to retreat, he dashed through a barrage of gunfire, succeeding in rallying these defenders, and led them back to their positions. Although wounded in the thigh and left leg during this gallant action, he returned to his position and, upon being told that communications were reestablished and that his commanding officer was seriously wounded, Second Lieutenant Williams took charge of actions in both compounds. Then, in an attempt to reach the communications bunker, he sustained wounds in the stomach and right arm from grenade fragments. As the defensive positions on the walls had been held for hours and casualties were mounting, he ordered the consolidation of the American personnel from both compounds to establish a defense in the district building. After radio contact was made with a friendly air controller, he disregarded his wounds and directed the defense from the District building, using descending flares as reference points to adjust air strikes. By his courage, he inspired his team to hold out against the insurgent force that was closing in on them and throwing grenades into the windows of the building. As daylight arrived and the Viet Cong continued to besiege the stronghold, firing a machinegun directly south of the District building, he was determined to eliminate this menace that threatened the lives of his men. Taking a 3.5 rocket launcher and a volunteer to load it, he worked his way across open terrain, reached the berm south of the District Headquarters, and took aim at the Viet Cong machinegun 150 meters away. Although the sight was faulty, he succeeded in hitting the machinegun. While he and the loader were trying to return to the District Headquarters, they were both wounded. With a fourth wound, this time in the right arm and leg, a realizing he was unable to carry his wounded comrade back to the District building, Second Lieutenant Williams pulled him to a covered position and then made his way back to the District building where sought help of others who went out and evacuated the injured soldier. Although seriously wounded and tired, he continued to direct the air strikes closer to the defensive position. As morning turned to afternoon and the Viet Cong pressed their effort with direct recoilless rifle fire into the building, he ordered the evacuation of the seriously wounded to the safety of the communications bunker. When informed that helicopters would attempt to land as the hostile gunfire had abated, he led his team from the building to the artillery position, making certain of the timely evacuation of the wounded from the communications area, and then on to the pick-up point. Despite resurgent Viet Cong gunfire, he directed the rapid evacuation of all personnel. Throughout the long battle, he was undaunted by the vicious Viet Cong assault and inspired the defenders in decimating the determined insurgents. Second Lieutenant Williams"s extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.' WHERE `ID` = 866; UPDATE `specialopsmemorial`.`tblwall` SET `Description` = 'For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond he call of duty. PO1c Williams was serving as Boat Captain and Patrol Officer aboard River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 accompanied by another patrol boat when the patrol boat was suddenly taken under fire by two (2) enemy sampans. PO1c Williams immediately ordered the fire returned, killing the crew of one (1) enemy boat and causing the other sampan to take refuge in a nearby river inlet. Pursuing the fleeing sampan, the U.S. patrol encountered a heavy volume of small arms fire from enemy forces, at close range, occupying well-concealed positions along the riverbank. Maneuvering through this fire, the patrol confronted a numerically superior force aboard two (2) enemy junks and eight (8) sampans augmented by heavy automatic weapons fire from ashore. In the savage battle that ensued, PO1c Williams, with utter disregard for his safety, exposed himself to the withering hail of enemy fire to direct counter-fire and inspire the actions of his patrol. Recognizing the overwhelming strength of the enemy force, PO1c Williams deployed his patrol to wait the arrival of the armed helicopters. In the course of his movement he discovered an even larger concentration of enemy boats. Not waiting for the arrival of the armed helicopters, he displayed great initiative and boldly led the patrol; through the intense fire and damaged or destroyed fifty (50) enemy sampans and seven (7) junks. This phase of the action completed, and with the arrival of the armed helicopters, PO1c Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now virtually dark, and although PO1c Williams was aware that his boats would become even better targets, he ordered the patrol boats" search lights turned on to better illuminate the area and moved the patrol perilously close to shore to press the attack. Despite a waning supply of ammunition the patrol successfully engaged the enemy ashore and completed the rout of the enemy force. Under the leadership of PO1c Williams, who demonstrated unusual professional skill and indomitable courage throughout the three-hour battle, the patrol accounted for the destruction or loss of sixty-five (65) enemy boats and inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy personnel. His extraordinary heroism and exemplary fighting spirit in the face of grave risks inspired the efforts of his men to defeat a larger enemy force, and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
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