nearby canal. The PBRs gave chase and soon found themselves in a beehive of enemy activity as the VC opened fire on them with rocket propelled grenades and small arms from fortified river bank positions. Williams repeatedly led the PBRs against concentrations of enemy junks and sampans. He also called for support from the heavily armed UH-1B Huey helicopters of HA(L)-3. When that help arrived, he kicked off another attack in the failing light. As a result of the three-hour battle, the U.S. naval force killed 1,000 Viet Cong guerrillas, destroyed over fifty vessels, and disrupted a major enemy logistic operation. For his actions on that date he was awarded the Medal of Honor. U.S. Marshals Service After retiring from the navy in April 1967, Williams worked for the Wackenhut Corporation. In 1969, he was appointed U.S. Marshal for the District of South Carolina, where he served until May 1977. He was then transferred to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia, as an instructor and National Armorer. He was called back to South Carolina in July 1979 under court appointment as U.S. Marshal for South Carolina and served in that position until April 1980. He was then transferred to U.S. Marshals Service Headquarters, Washington, D. C., as Programs Manager, Health and Safety and In-District Training Officer where he served until his retirement from the U.S. Marshals Service with the grade of GS-1811-15. Personal life In 1949, Williams married the former Elaine Weaver and they had five children (daughter, Debbie, sons, James E. "Jr.", Stephen Michael, Charles E., and daughter, Gail) and seven grandchildren. Death Williams died on October 13, 1999; he was buried at the Florence National Cemetery in Florence, South Carolina. Military awards Williams' decorations and awards include: 4 gold service stripes. Medal of Honor citation Navy Cross citation Citation: Other honors Navy Special Boat Unit 20 headquarters at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia, was dedicated the BM1 James E. Williams Building in 1997. Navy guided missile destroyer was named and christened in his honor on June 28, 2003, at Pascagoula, Mississippi. See also List of Medal of Honor recipients List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War References 1930 births 1999 deaths United States Navy non-commissioned officers United States Navy personnel of the Korean War United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of