World War II Honoree

Everett Eugene Williams

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Diana, Tennessee

Honored By

Judi W. Bell

Relationship

Daughter

DRAFTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY AT AGE 22. INDUCTED AT FORT OGLETHORPE, GEORGIA TO BE ASSIGNED FOR BASIC TRAINING AT CAMP CROFT, SOUTH CAROLINA. SUBSEQUENTLY SENT TO COOKS AND BAKERS SCHOOL AND MOVED TO FORT BENNING, GEORGIA WHERE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO PARACHUTE SCHOOL. HIS PROMOTION TO STAFF MESS SERGEANT OCCURRED DURING THE 26 MONTHS AT THIS BASE. HE MARRIED ESTAL OLENE HELTON IN JUNE OF 1943. IN MAY OF 1944, HE WENT TO CAMP VAN DORN, MISSISSIPPI AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE SECOND BATTALION, F COMPANY, 63RD INFANTRY DIVISION. IN NOVEMBER OF THAT SAME YEAR, HE EMBARKED TO MARSEILLES, FRANCE WHERE HIS DIVISION WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 7TH ARMY TO BACK UP GENERAL GEORGE PATTON'S 3RD ARMY DIVISION AT THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. AS STAFF MESS SERGEANT, HE DIRECTED APPROXIMATELY TEN COOKS FOR FOUR MONTHS IN SUPPLYING HOT MEALS TO MEN ON THE FRONT LINES. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, HE CAME UNDER FIRE HIMSELF AS HE STRUGGLED TO ASSIST IN DELIVERING MEALS. AS THE WAR EFFORT CHANGED, HE WAS MOVED FROM PLACE TO PLACE IN KITCHENS OF SCHOOL HOUSES, HOSPITALS AND CASTLES. AS THE WAR NEARED ITS END AND DIVISIONS WERE HEADED TO MUNICH, HIS DIVISION WAS PULLED OFF THE LINES FOR A REST. HE THEN LEFT FOR HEIDELBERG WHERE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT. HIS DUTIES CONSISTED OF WORKING WITH DISPLACED PERSONS TO RETURN THEM TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES. HE SAILED BACK INTO NEW YORK HARBOR, HIS PORT OF EMBARKATION, ON NOVEMBER 24, 1945, ONE YEAR TO THE DAY AFTER HE HAD LEFT FOR GERMANY. HE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY. HE PRESENTLY LIVES IN LEWISBURG, TENNESSEE WITH HIS WIFE OF 59 YEARS.