[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO JAMES ELLIOTT WILLIAMS, AN AMERICAN HERO

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                           HON. FLOYD SPENCE

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 2, 1999

  Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great 
American, Medal of Honor Recipient James Elliott Williams, who recently 
passed away at the age of 68. The most decorated American serviceman of 
the Vietnam Conflict and the most decorated enlisted man in the history 
of the United States Navy, Petty Officer First Class Williams was truly 
an American hero.
  A native South Carolinian, Elliott Williams began his twenty-year 
career in the Navy at the age of 16. During the Vietnam Conflict, 
commanding high-speed river patrol boats, known as PBRs, Elliott 
Williams exhibited great valor when faced with overwhelming forces. In 
1966, Elliott Williams, without reinforcement, led eight men on two 
boats through intense enemy fire in a three hour firefight that 
resulted in the destruction of more than fifty-seven enemy boats, more 
than 1,000 enemy casualties, and the interception of classified 
documents. In 1967, just four months before Elliott Williams was to 
retire, the boat under his command and another United States boat was 
attacked along a branch of the Mekong River by four hundred soldiers 
from three North Vietnamese heavy weapons companies. While protecting 
the other boat, which was disabled, Elliott Williams continued to 
fight, even though he was wounded. The outcome of this incident was 
nearly forty enemy casualties and nine of their boats being destroyed.
  For his service in the Vietnam Conflict, Elliott Williams received 
the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Navy and 
Marine Corps Medal, three Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, and the 
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He also served in the Korean Conflict.
  After retiring from the Navy, Elliott Williams became the first 
United States Marshal to be appointed by President Nixon, in 1969. He 
served in a number of positions with the United States Marshals Service 
before retiring. He was also a Past President of the Congressional 
Medal of Honor Society and a former member of the Board of Directors of 
the Patriots Point Development Authority, in Mount Pleasant, South 
Carolina. Largely through the efforts of Elliott Williams, the 
Congressional Medal of Honor Society moved its headquarters from the 
Intrepid, in New York, to the Yorktown,  at Patriots Point. In 1997, 
Navy Special Boat Unit 20, honored Elliott Williams by naming its new 
headquarters, in Little Creek, Virginia, for him.
  Elliott Williams was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, the Purple Heart Club, the Fleet Reserve Association, the 
Hammerton Masonic Lodge, and the Omar Shrine Temple. He was active in 
community affairs and enjoyed speaking to civic groups about his 
experiences during his career in the Navy.
  Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of knowing Elliott Williams for more 
than thirty years. He was a valiant warrior and a true patriot, who 
inspired many to do their best. He was also a wonderful husband and 
father. He will be greatly missed.

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