Ernest Calvin Williams
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
Dominican Republic

Ernest Calvin Williams was born on 2 August 1887 at Broadwell, IL. He was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 29 November 1916, during the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic. He was later awarded the Navy Cross.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Brigade

Place and date: San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, 29 November 1916

G.O. No.: 289, 27 April 1917

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.

Other Medals

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Williams was awarded the following:

Navy Cross
Silver Star Medal (2 Awards)

Death and Burial

Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Calvin Williams died on 31 July 1940. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Indianola, Vermilion County, IL.