Ernest Calvin Williams

Ernest Calvin Williams (August 2, 1887 – July 31, 1940) was a United States Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 29, 1916, during the Battle of San Francisco de Macoris. Then 1st Lt Williams, leading 12 Marines, charged and captured the fortress from a numerically superior enemy.[1] These actions were part of the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic. He was later awarded the Navy Cross.

Calvin Williams
Born(1887-08-02)August 2, 1887
Broadwell, Illinois
DiedJuly 31, 1940(1940-07-31) (aged 52)
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1907 - 1921
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/warsOccupation of the Dominican Republic
* Battle of San Francisco de Macoris
World War I
Awards Medal of Honor
Navy Cross

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: August 2, 1887, Broadwell, Illinois Accredited to: Illinois. G.O. No.: 289, April 27, 1917. Other Navy award: Navy Cross.

Citation:

In action against hostile forces at San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, 29 November 1916. With only a dozen men available, First Lieutenant Williams rushed the gate of the fortress. With eight of his party wounded by rifle fire of the defenders, he pressed on with four remaining men, threw himself against the door just as it was being closed by the Dominicans and forced an entry. Despite a narrow escape from death at the hands of a rifleman, he and his men disposed of the guards and within a few minutes had gained control of the fort and the hundred prisoners confined there.[2]

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See also

Notes
  1. Arizona Republican article from June 20, 1917 detailing Williams actions at San Francisco de Macoris
  2. G.O. Navy Department, No. 289, April 27, 1917.

References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
  • "1stLt Ernest C. Williams, Medal of Honor, 1917, Dominican Republic (Medal of Honor citation)". Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-03-05. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
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