Boatswain’s Mate First Class James “Willie” Williams

James Elliott Williams was an American law enforcement officer and honorary United States Navy chief boatswain’s mate who won the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. Boatswain’s Mate First Class Williams was only one of the 32 Native Americans who went on to receive the medal and was regarded as one of the most decorated enlisted men in the history of the United States Navy.

Williams was deployed in Vietnam in 1966. He commanded the River Patrol Boat 105 and also had to handle the Viet Cong fighters and arms shipments. He was part of many combats, William’s boat was attacked by the enemy as many as Viet Cong were killed and around 50 enemy boasts got destroyed.

He was known as one of the most decorated enlisted sailors in the history of the U.S naval, no wonder he won many prestigious awards one could think of.