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Edward Thomas Williams

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Edward Thomas Williams
General Williams as commander of the Field Artillery Center
BornFebruary 6, 1901 (1901-02-06)
Detroit, Michigan
DiedOctober 14, 1973 (1973-10-15) (aged 72)
San Antonio, Texas
Buried
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1918–1961
Rank Lieutenant General
CommandsThird United States Army Artillery
United States Army Field Artillery Center
Fourth United States Army
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star

Edward Thomas Williams (1901–1973) was a Lieutenant General in the United States Army. He gained prominence as chief of artillery for the Third United States Army in Europe during World War II, commander of the United States Army Field Artillery Center, and commander of the Fourth United States Army.

Early life

Williams was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 6, 1901. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1920.[1][2]

Early career

In 1921 Williams graduated from the Field Artillery Basic Course.[3]

Williams served in artillery assignments of increasing rank and responsibility throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including a posting to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as a member of the 13th Field Artillery Regiment, assignment to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and a position as an instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.[4][5]

In 1939 Williams graduated from the Command and General Staff College.[6]

World War II

Williams served as commander of the Third United States Army Artillery during World War II, taking part in operations throughout Europe after the D-Day invasion and earning the Distinguished Service Medal.[7][8]

Post World War II

From 1950 to 1952 Williams was assigned as deputy chief of staff for operations at the U.S. Army European Command.[9][10]

Williams served as chief of staff for U.S. Army, Europe from 1952 to 1953.[11]

In 1953 Williams was appointed deputy commander of the Third United States Army, serving until 1954.[12]

Williams was then named commander of the United States Army Field Artillery Center, serving from 1954 to 1956.[13][14][15]

In 1956 Williams was named deputy commander of the Continental Army Command, a position he held until 1959.[16][17][18][19]

In 1958 he chaired the Williams Board, which reviewed and recommended changes to the Army’s professional education system for officers.[20]

Williams was selected to command the Fourth United States Army in 1959, and he served in this post until his retirement.[21][22][23][24]

While commanding the Fourth Army Williams represented the United States at the funeral of Walter Williams of Texas, who claimed to have been a Confederate soldier and the last living American Civil War veteran.[25]

Retirement and awards

General Williams retired in 1961. His awards and decorations included two Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star.[26][27]

Death and burial

Williams died on October 14, 1973 in San Antonio, Texas. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Section PA, Site 249-C.[28][29][30]

References

  1. ^ Social Security Death Index
  2. ^ Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1949, page 576
  3. ^ Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant general, 1956, page 912
  4. ^ Magazine article, Regimental Notes, Field Artillery Journal, January–February, 1945, page 75
  5. ^ U.S. Census entry, Edward T. Williams family, 1930
  6. ^ Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 808
  7. ^ Patton and His Third Army, by Brenton Wallace Greene, 1946, first paperback edition, 2000, page 22
  8. ^ Recipients of the Army Distinguished Service Medal Archived 2012-05-25 at the Wayback Machine, Military Times, Hall of Valor
  9. ^ Truman Proposes Shift of Generals; Army Commands in Europe and U. S. Affected -- Many High Officers Promoted or Retired Slated for New Posts Abroad, New York Times, June 23, 1950
  10. ^ Monty Visits EUCOM headquarters, Stars and Stripes, European edition, October 2, 1951
  11. ^ Former Chiefs of Staff page Archived 2010-01-05 at the Wayback Machine, U.S. Army, Europe web site
  12. ^ Newspaper column, Militarist Oriented, Florida Flambeau Florida State University, Tallahassee, January 22, 1954
  13. ^ Magazine article, Chiefs of Field Artillery, Field Artillery Magazine, July–August, 1999, page 43
  14. ^ Newspaper article, Major to Face Court-Martial, Los Angeles Times, November 30, 1954
  15. ^ Newspaper article, Army Shifting High Officers, New York Times, 1955
  16. ^ Newspaper article, Automation is adopted by the Military, Tri City Herald (Pasco, Kennewick and Richland, Washington, October 29, 1957
  17. ^ Magazine Article, People, TIME Magazine, December 2, 1957
  18. ^ Newspaper photo caption, Gerald W. Rowe is Graduated, Ludington (Michigan) Daily News, June 26, 1958
  19. ^ U.S. to Meet its Allies; Geneva Talks to Map West's Stand on Surprise Attack, New York Times, November 4, 1958
  20. ^ Report of the Department of the Army Board to Review Army Officer Schools, February, 1966, Volume 1, page 20
  21. ^ Newspaper article, Three Army Chiefs Shifted, New York Times, August 21, 1959
  22. ^ Newspaper article, John Hussey Dies; Member of F.P.C.; Aide of Power Agency Since '58 -- Stricken at Meeting of Oil Institute in Texas, New York Times, March 18, 1960
  23. ^ Pacific Chief of Staff Is Named; First to Come From the Army; Gen. Barnes Chosen -- U.S. Issues List of Command Shifts and Promotions, New York Times, December 3, 1960
  24. ^ Sacred Ground: Americans and Their Battlefields, by Edward Tabor Linenthal, 1993, page 73
  25. ^ Newspaper article, Nation Pays Homage to Last Confederate Soldier, Hartford Courant, December 24, 1959
  26. ^ Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1957, page 926
  27. ^ Recipients of the Army Distinguished Service Medal Archived 2012-05-25 at the Wayback Machine, Military Times, Hall of Valor
  28. ^ Newspaper article, Gen. Edward Williams Dies; Patton’s Artillery Officer, 72, New York Times, October 16. 1973
  29. ^ Social Security Death Index
  30. ^ Nationwide Gravesite Locator, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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