World War II Honoree

James R. Williams

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Honored By

J. Richard Williams

Relationship

Son

ACTIVATED AS A 1ST LIEUTENANT ON NOVEMBER 10, 1940 AT MCCHORD FIELD, TACOMA, WASHINGTON. IN FEBRUARY 1941, PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN. IN AUGUST 1941, HELPED ACTIVATE PAINE FIELD, EVERETT, WASHINGTON AS BASE DIRECTOR OF SUPPLY AND MAINTENANCE, PROMOTED TO MAJOR. IN 1944, ASSIGNED TO PORTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, THEN MOSES LAKE AIR FORCE BASE AS BASE S-4. ON DECEMBER 31, 1944, ASSIGNED AS EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF A FIGHTER UNIT OF THE 20TH AIR FORCE IN HAWAII, THEN AS EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF AN AIR FORCE AIR CONTROL UNIT BEING ORGANIZED FOR OPERATION OLYMPIC (INVASION OF JAPAN). ON DECEMBER 27, 1945, RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY AS A LIEUTENANT COLONEL.