World War II Honoree

Hosea Williams

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Attapulgus, Georgia

Honored By

Richard E. Miller

Relationship

Historian

SHIPPED HOME AFTER BEING SEVERELY WOUNDED BY A SHELL BLAST IN FRANCE. HE WAS BEATEN AND LEFT FOR DEAD AFTER DRINKING FROM THE ONLY WATER FOUNTAIN IN A RACIALLY SEGREGATED BUS STATION DURING HIS RECUPERATION, AN EXPERIENCE WHICH PROMPTED HIM TO JOIN THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE WHERE HE WOULD RISE TO LEADERSHIP IN THE STRUGGLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND DESEGREGATION ON THE HOME FRONT.