World War II Honoree

Raymond R. Williams

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Eleanor J. Williams

Relationship

Wife

ENLISTED IN THE NAVY AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON MAY 26, 1942. HE WAS TRAINED AS AN AVIATION ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN AND SERVED ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS COWPENS, CVL-25 FROM JUNE 14, 1943 UNTIL JANUARY 26, 1945. THE COWPENS PARTICIPATED IN THE 3RD AND 5TH FLEET FAST CARRIER TASK FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE PACIFIC AND WAS AWARDED THE NAVY UNIT CITATION AND 12 BATTLE STARS. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE AIR NAVIGATIONAL RADIO AIDS SCHOOL, GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA AS AN INSTRUCTOR AND AT THE END OF THE WAR WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 1, 1945. HE HAD BEEN PROMOTED TO AVIATION CHIEF RADIO TECHNICIAN ON JANUARY 1, 1945 AND HAD THE DISTINCTION OF BEING ONE OF THE YOUNGEST CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS IN THE NAVY.