WILLIAMS, ERNEST CALVIN

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps.

Born: 2 August 1887, Broadwell, Ill. Accredited to: Illinois. G.O. No.: 289, 27 April 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, 1st Lt. Williams rushed the gate of the fortress. With 8 of his party wounded by rifle fire of the defenders, he pressed on with the 4 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.

Birth: Aug. 2, 1887

Death: Jul. 31, 1940

Buried: Woodlawn Cemetery
Indianola
Vermilion County
Illinois

Haitian Campaign Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Williams served as a First Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps. He was awarded his medal for service during the Haitian Campaign. He was also the recipient of the Navy Cross. His citation reads-In action against hostile forces at San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, 29 November 1916. With only a dozen men available, 1st Lt. Williams rushed the gate of the fortress. With 8 of his party wounded by rifle fire of the defenders, he pressed on with the 4 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. (bio by: Gravedude97)

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS