[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 125 (Tuesday, October 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN EDWARD J. WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FLOYD SPENCE

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2000

  Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the service of an 
outstanding South Carolina, Captain Edward J. Williams. I submit the 
portion of an article, which appeared in the August 27, 2000 edition of 
the Times and Democrat, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, which outlines 
the military service of Captain Williams and the recognition that has 
been bestowed on him, as well as how his devoted family has coped with 
their loss.

                        Capt. Edward J. Williams

       Captain Williams' wife and daughters have carried his 
     legacy and name with pride, like a banner, since Williams' 
     plane disappeared over Korea.
       Williams was drafted while studying engineering at Howard 
     University. In the early 1940s, he was in the first class for 
     pilots at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama.
       The Tuskegee Airmen were the elite group of black fighter 
     pilots of the 99th Pursuit Squadron.
       This squadron was later incorporated into the 332nd Fighter 
     Group and fought during World War II. Approximately 1,000 
     Americans of African ancestry completed flight training at 
     Tuskegee Army Air Field. Of these, 445 went overseas as 
     combat pilots. They flew in bombing escorts and ground 
     attacks.
       The Tuskegee Airmen's record was impeccable. Not one plane 
     escorted by these pilots was ever lost in enemy fire. Combat 
     records indicate they destroyed 251 enemy aircraft, winning 
     more than 850 medals.
       Williams served under Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Davis later 
     became a general and died only a few years ago.
       Daniel ``Chappie'' James was Williams' flying partner and 
     Edwina's godfather. James also became a general and now lives 
     in Washington.
       Williams flew in Europe during World War II and returned to 
     Tuskegee as a training instructor. There he met wife-to-be, 
     who worked on the base. Mrs. Williams recalls her husband as 
     ``caring, courteous, just a man of integrity.''
       Their first child Edwina was 4 months old and the second 
     Cherryetta was on the way when Williams was called to Korea. 
     Mrs. Williams relates. ``They had not anticipated the Korean 
     War. He had been given order to come home for the new baby. 
     But they decided they needed him in the air.''
       While flying in formation over Seoul, his plane was shot 
     down. The Red Cross brought the news in the form of a 
     telegram to Mrs. Williams. It was March 1951 and he was 
     officially listed as missing in action.
       Mrs. Williams remembers the shock and said: ``It was a time 
     when we needed support from family, community and it came in 
     various ways. We thank God every day for those who extended a 
     hand and really cared.''
       Williams' eldest daughter Edwina, says of her father: ``He 
     gave the supreme sacrifice by fighting for his country. We 
     miss him because he did not return. Our family has been in a 
     state of flux because just receiving a telegram in the early 
     '50s stating that he is missing in action, there is no 
     closure to whether he is really gone or is a prisoner of war 
     possibly.''
       Mrs. Williams was presented the Purple Heart Award at Shaw 
     Air Force Base in Sumter. She had her two infant daughters by 
     her side. They have remained a close-knit family unit since.
       Mrs. Williams said, ``I celebrate my husband by being 
     involved and answering the call.'' She is president of the 
     VFW Ladies Auxiliary, president of the Women's Club, and was 
     voted Outstanding Woman of the Year by the Girl Scouts. She 
     taught music at Claflin College for years. She is still 
     employed at Claflin as chaplain.
       Edwina and her sister Cherryetta have carried on the legacy 
     of her father's pioneering spirit. They were among the first 
     blacks to integrate the schools in Orangeburg and Columbia 
     College. ``We were following Daddy,'' Edwina proudly says. 
     ``Service is one of the things that my family had done 
     through the years and is evidenced by the fact that my father 
     is not with us because he gave his life in service for the 
     country.''
       Mrs. Williams believes the Purple Heart medal is 
     ``something that he deserved and that he earned because of 
     his commitment, his determination and his desire to make the 
     world a better place to live.''
       She still considers herself married and the wife of Captain 
     Williams. His memory lives on.

     

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