Memorial

More information

1st Lt Wesley W. Williams attended the University of California.

He was taken prisoner on 11 December 1944 and died of his wounds in a German Reserve Lazaret in Eschwege, Germany.

Lt Williams was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation reads in part: For gallantry in action on 21 November 1944, Williams led his platoon, while under heavy enemy fire, to a position one-half mile from their objective in order to attack a strong enemy position manned by SP guns.
About 100 yards from the objective, the platoon was pinned to the ground by an intense barrage of enemy artillery and machine gun fire, suffering many casualties and making a withdrawal necessary.
Williams, with complete and utter disregard for his personal safety, left his covered position and from an exposed point of observation directed the organized withdrawal of his platoon.
Williams remained in the forward area assisting the aid men in the evacuation of the wounded. To insure that no casualties were unattended, Williams, at great risk of his life and while completely exposed to the enemy fire, inspected the entire area and returned to his platoon while being subjected to an intense artillery barrage, organized a defensive positions and directed the evacuation of the wounded.