Robert B. Williams
| Robert Boyd Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 9, 1901 Albany, Texas |
| Died | February 10, 1977 (aged 75) San Antonio, Texas |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1923–1946 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Commands held |
49th Bombardment Squadron 2nd Bombardment Group II Bomber Command 16th Bombardment Operational Training Wing 1st Bomb Division Second Air Force |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross (United States) |
Robert Boyd Williams (November 9, 1901 — February 10, 1977) was a major general in the United States Army Air Forces and an eminent combat commander during World War II. He personally led the B-17 raid on the Schweinfurt ball-bearing factories on 17 August 1943, the first large-scale deep penetration bombing raid on Germany. He was also an important personage in the training of heavy bombardment units both before and after his combat tour.
Robert B. Williams was born in the small Texas city of Albany and graduated from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1923. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Air Service on June 6, 1923.
Williams entered flying training in June 1923 at Brooks Field in San Antonio. In January 1924, he began advanced flying training at nearby Kelly Field.
From August 1924 to October 1924, Williams served as Squadron Adjutant at Kelly Field. From October 1924 to June 1925, he attended the Photography Course at the Air Service Technical School at Chanute Field, Illinois. From June 1925 to May 1926, Williams served with the 5th Observation Squadron at Mitchel Field, New York. While stationed there, as a second lieutenant, he was reported missing in the newspapers on a flight to Washington. In May 1926, Williams was transferred to France Field in the Panama Canal Zone, where he served with the 6th Composite Group and the 7th Observation Squadron. There, on 11 November 1927, he was promoted to first lieutenant. In 1928, he was commended for making an emergency landing in a crater lake in El Salvador and then spiraling his plane out of this hazardous area after refueling. In July 1928, he became the operations officer of the 24th Pursuit Squadron at France Field and a year later, was assigned to command the 12th Photo Section, 24th Pursuit Squadron.
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