Lloyd W. Williams
| Lloyd Williams | |
|---|---|
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Lloyd W. Williams, circa 1909
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|
| Born |
January 5, 1887 Berryville, Virginia |
| Died | June 12, 1918 (aged 31) Chateau-Thierry, France |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion 5th Marines |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Silver Star (3) Purple Heart |
Lloyd W. Williams (June 5, 1887 – June 12, 1918) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps who served and died in World War I.
Lloyd W. Williams was born on June 5, 1887 in Berryville, Virginia. While very young, his family moved to Washington, DC. Williams attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) and graduated in 1907, as the captain of Alpha Company in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. After graduating, he became a second lieutenant of the United States Marine Corps on December 11, 1909.
During World War One, Captain Williams was assigned to command the division’s 51st Company in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment.
On June 2, 1918, a division of Marines was sent to support the French army at the Battle of Belleau Wood. As the Marines arrived, they found French troops retreating. When advised to withdraw by a French colonel just north of the village of Lucy-le-Bocage, Williams bluntly replied: "Retreat Hell! we just got here!"
On June 11, 1918, Williams led an assault that routed the German defenders at Belleau Wood near Chateau-Thierry, France. Only 1 of the 10 officers and 16 of the 250 enlisted men survived or escaped injury. A French major ordered Williams to withdraw and according to his report, Williams "told him to 'go to hell.". Later, as he lay wounded on the battlefield, Williams told the approaching medics, “Don’t bother with me. Take care of my good men." Williams had been gassed and injured by shrapnel . He later died when a shell exploded nearby as he was being evacuated.
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