WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL  to

JAMES E. WILLIAMS

BOATSWAIN'S MATE FIRST CLASS

UNITED STATES NAVY

For heroic achievement on 14 October 1966 while serving as Boat Captain of River Patrol Boat (PBR) ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN. During a three-PBR armed reconnaissance patrol in the Republic of Vietnam, Petty Officer Williams detected groups of troops moving on foot and in sampans near the Vam Co Tay River. He boldly pushed his PBR inland and sought to close the suspect troops. When the enemy opened fire, Petty Officer Williams directed his crew in a devastating return fire, and then pursued the enemy as far as his boat would permit before bogging down in the shallow river paddies. By his aggressiveness and return fire, he drew heavy small-arms and automatic-weapons fire from an area that was revealed to be the enemy campsite. The point of this revelation permitted heavy supporting-arms fire from helicopters and tactical air strikes to destroy the enemy's main position. Petty Officer Williams' crew accounted for two confirmed enemy dead and the destruction of one enemy sampan. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.

For the President

(signed)

Charles F. Baird

Acting Secretary of the Navy