William Rosser Williams, Jr.

Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 46 (April 3, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William R. Williams, Jr. (ASN: 0-1322291), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action near ****, Germany, on 2 February 1945.
First Lieutenant Williams, Company Executive Officer, assumed command when the commander was killed and led his company in an attack through murderous crossfire from the machine guns of mutually supporting concrete pillboxes in the Siegfried Line. By the example of great personal courage and aggressive leadership, he kept his men pushing forward. He was wounded during the attack, but stayed in the lead until the objective, a vital crossroad at *** , was reached. First Lieutenant Williams then reorganized his depleted company under flanking fire from mortars and self-propelled artillery. Before he could obtain a re-supply of ammunition and while part of his company was clearing snipers out of houses near the objective, the Germans counterattacked with armor and a numerically superior force of infantry. First Lieutenant Williams was again wounded in the fighting which followed but refused to be evacuated and continued to direct the defense until reinforcements drove off the counterattack. First Lieutenant Williams' courageous leadership and his fortitude in staying in the fight though twice wounded reflects great credit upon himself and the unit with which he served.
His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.