World War II Honoree

Walter Willis Williams

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Bayard, West Virginia

Honored By

Judy Williams Jarrett and Amie Jarrett Briggs

Relationship

Daughter and Granddaughter

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1942. Upon completing Water Tender training at the U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, he was assigned to the recently commissioned USS Essex (CV-9). While serving on the Essex from November 1942 until his discharge in December 1945, the Essex participated in many U.S. Navy Pacific-Asiatic operations including Wake Island, Okinawa, Philippine Sea, Iwo Jima and the Tokyo assault and survived a kamikaze attack in November 1944. For his meritorious service, he received a Good Conduct, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and Navy Occupation Service with Asia clasp medals. Also, a Philippine Liberation ribbon, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation and the USS Essex Presidential Unit citation ribbon.