Edward Thomas Williams (1901–1973) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He gained prominence as chief of artillery for the Third United States Army in Europe during World War II, commander of the United States Army Field Artillery Center, and commander of the Fourth United States Army.
Early life
Williams was born in Detroit, Michigan, on 6 February 1901. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1920.Social Security Death IndexOfficial U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1949, page 576
Early career
In 1921 Williams graduated from the Field Artillery Basic Course.Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant general, 1956, page 912
Williams served in artillery assignments of increasing rank and responsibility throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including a posting to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, as a member of the 13th Field Artillery Regiment, assignment to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and a position as an instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma."Regimental Notes", Field Artillery Journal, January–February 1945, page 75.U.S. Census entry, Edward T. Williams family, 1930
In 1939 Williams graduated from the Command and General Staff College.Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 808
World War II
Williams served as commander of the Third United States Army Artillery during World War II, taking part in operations throughout Europe after the D-Day invasion and earning the Distinguished Service Medal.Patton and His Third Army, by Brenton Greene Wallace, 1946, first paperback edition, 2000, page 22
Post World War II
From 1950 to 1952 Williams was assigned as deputy chief of staff for operations at the U.S. Army European Command.Truman Proposes Shift of Generals; Army Commands in Europe and U. S. Affected -- Many High Officers Promoted or Retired Slated for New Posts Abroad, The New York Times, p. 2, June 23, 1950. Monty Visits EUCOM headquarters, Stars and Stripes, European edition, October 2, 1951.
Williams served as chief of staff for U.S. Army, Europe from 1952 to 1953.Former Chiefs of Staff page , U.S. Army, Europe web site
In 1953 Williams was appointed deputy commander of the Third United States Army, serving until 1954.Newspaper column, Militarist Oriented, Florida Flambeau Florida State University, Tallahassee, January 22, 1954
Williams was then named commander of the United States Army Field Artillery Center, serving from 1954 to 1956."Chiefs of Field Artillery", Field Artillery, July–August 1999, page 43."Army Shifting High Officers", The New York Times, November 17, 1955.
In 1956 Williams was named deputy commander of the Continental Army Command, a position he held until 1959."Names make news", Time, December 2, 1957."U.S. to Meet its Allies"; Geneva Talks to Map West's Stand on Surprise Attack", The New York Times, p. 12, November 4, 1958.
In 1958 he chaired the Williams Board, which reviewed and recommended changes to the Army's professional education system for officers.Report of the Department of the Army Board to Review Army Officer Schools, February 1966, Volume 1, page 20
Williams was selected to command the Fourth United States Army in 1959, and he served in this post until his retirement."Three Army Chiefs Shifted", The New York Times, p. 4, August 21, 1959. "John Hussey Dies; Member of F.P.C.; Aide of Power Agency Since '58 -- Stricken at Meeting of Oil Institute in Texas", The New York Times, p. 26, March 18, 1960. "Pacific Chief of Staff Is Named; First to Come From the Army; Gen. Barnes Chosen -- U.S. Issues List of Command Shifts and Promotions", The New York Times, p.8, December 3, 1960. Linenthal, Edward Tabor (1993). Sacred Ground: Americans and Their Battlefields, 1993, page 73.
While commanding the Fourth Army Williams represented the United States at the funeral of Walter Williams of Texas, who claimed to have been a Confederate soldier and the last living American Civil War veteran.
Retirement and awards
General Williams retired in 1961. His awards and decorations included two Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and the Order of the Patriotic War First Class (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1957, page 926.
Death and burial
Williams died on 14 October 1973, in San Antonio, Texas. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Section PA, Site 249-C."Gen. Edward Williams Dies; Patton's Artillery Officer, 72", The New York Times, October 16, 1973.Nationwide Gravesite Locator , U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
References
External links Generals of World War II