First Lieutenant Ernest Collier Williams, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on November 29, 1916 in San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic during the 1916 Dominican campaign. Williams was 29 years old.
He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Williams was born on August 2, 1887 in Broadwell, Elkhart County, Illinois. His Medal of Honor is credited to Illinois. Williams died on July 31, 1940 in Indianola, Illinois, at the age of 52. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Indianola, Illinois.
Williams is one of 3 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1916 Dominican campaign and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
In action against hostile forces at San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, 29 November 1916. With only a dozen men available, 1st Lt. Williams rushed the gate of the fortress. With eight of his party wounded by rifle fire of the defenders, he pressed on with the 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Ernest Collier Williams received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →
From the archives
Additional information on his action comes from U.S. Navy General Order No. 289, dated April 27, 1917:
"The department takes pleasure in announcing to the service the award of a medal of honor to First Lieut. Ernest C. Williams, U. S. M. C., for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession in the face of the enemy at San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, November 29, 1916.
The reports in the department show that on November 29, 1916, First Lieut. Ernest C. Williams with 12 men charged a fort (Fortaleza) at San Francisco de Macoris in the face of fire from about 40 rifles, hurled himself against the doors just as they were being closed, was the first inside, and, without the loss of a single man, but with 8 of his original detachment of 12 men wounded, succeeded in the capture of the fort.
The Commendant of the U. S. Marine Corps in forwarding the reports states: 'It appears that by his conspicuous gallantry, initiative and excellent judgement he solved the problem which might have proved a serious one had the enemy been given time to organize and consolidate, and that First Lieut. Ernest C. Williams in enetering and seizing the Fortaleza by its only entrance was most gallant and corageous.'"
Timeline
- August 2, 1887Born in Broadwell, Elkhart County, Illinois
- November 29, 1916Act of valor — San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican RepublicAge 29.
- July 31, 1940Died in Indianola, IllinoisAge 52.
- Resting placeWoodlawn CemeteryIndianola, Illinois
Biography
Ernest Calvin Williams (August 2, 1887 – July 31, 1940) was a United States Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 29, 1916, during the Battle of San Francisco de Macoris. Then 1st Lt Williams, leading 12 Marines, charged and captured the fortress from a numerically superior enemy. These actions were part of the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic. He was later awarded the Navy Cross.
From the Wikipedia article “Ernest Calvin Williams”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →