Herbert R. Williams

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HERBERT R. WILLIAMS was born in Florida on August 1, 1916. He had finished high school, was unmarried but supporting his family when inducted on July 30, 1941 at Trenton NJ, along with, among others, Alphonso Mosley. Both men were assigned to the 366th Infantry Regiment, and both were killed in action in December of 1944 in Italy.

Herbert Williams gave his life in service of America on December 29, 1944. After the war, his body was returned to the United States, and he rests at Sunset Burial Park in Pennsauken NJ.

Private First Class Williams lost his life three days after the action described below

Christmas sacrifice, trial by fire mark heroism in 92nd

by S.H. Kelly, MDW News Service

WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 13, 1996 -- The 92nd Infantry Division was one of the two largest "all-black" units to serve in combat during World War II -- the other being the 93rd, which fought in the Pacific Theater.

The 366th Infantry Regiment, to which 1st Lt. John R. Fox was assigned, had been in Italy since May 1944. Initially the regiment was used for air-base security, but with the arrival of the 92nd, it became that division's fourth regiment Nov. 30.

It was not, however, deployed as a regiment; battalion- and company-size elements were attached to the other divisional units already on line. Fox's Cannon Company found itself attached to the 370th, which was also 1st Lt. Vernon Joseph Baker's regiment.

Now one regiment over strength, the 92nd was given responsibility for the Fifth Army's western flank -- some 20 miles of mountainous front line. The corps leaders knew the 92nd faced at least the German 148th Grenadier Division and that two Italian divisions were in the area. They also suspected five more German divisions were nearby.

Plans for a Christmas Day attack required the 370th's second battalion to advance into Sommocolonia, which it did, but the attack was called off. The battalion withdrew from the town -- all except the 366th's Company F and a Company H platoon. Fox remained to act as a forward observer for the 598th Field Artillery Battalion.

During the night, German soldiers dressed as civilians infiltrated the town. About 4 the next morning the enemy began shelling, and a ground attack followed.

Soon the fighting was door-to-door, and the infantry soldiers were requesting mortar and artillery support as they attempted to withdraw. Fox and his observer party remained on the second floor of a house to direct the fire support.

Fox now reported that Germans were in the streets and attacking in strength. Soon the rounds were falling close to his position, but he told his battalion commander, "That round was just where I wanted it. Bring it in 60 more yards."

With the Germans at his door, he requested a smoke screen to cover the withdrawal of the rest of the force, then asked that the distance between his position and the last barrage be halved for the next.

Fox's next correction caused his commander to protest, "Fox, that will be on you!"

The lieutenant again requested the fire. "Fire it," he said. "There's more of them than there are of us. Give them hell!" It was Fox's last communication. His body and those of his party were found among more than 100 German bodies when the position was retaken.

Fox received a posthumous Distinguished Service Cross.

On 1997-01-13, Arlene Fox, the widow of Lt. John R. Fox, received his posthumous Medal of Honor from President Clinton in a White House ceremony which was broadcast live on C-SPAN

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to

John R. Fox
     First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

General Order:

Citation:
For extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Sommocolonia, Italy on 26 December 1944, while serving as a member of Cannon Company, 366th Infantry Regiment, 92d Infantry Division. During the preceding few weeks, Lieutenant Fox served with the 598th Field Artillery Battalion as a forward observer. On Christmas night, enemy soldiers gradually infiltrated the town of Sommocolonia in civilian clothes, and by early morning the town was largely in hostile hands. Commencing with a heavy barrage of enemy artillery at 0400 hours on 26 December 1944, an organized attack by uniformed German units began. Being greatly outnumbered, most of the United States Infantry forces were forced to withdraw from the town, but Lieutenant Fox and some other members of his observer party voluntarily remained on the second floor of a house to direct defensive artillery fire. At 0800 hours, Lieutenant Fox reported that the Germans were in the streets and attacking in strength. He then called for defensive artillery fire to slow the enemy advance. As the Germans continued to press the attack towards the area that Lieutenant Fox occupied, he adjusted the artillery fire closer to his position. Finally he was warned that the next adjustment would bring the deadly artillery right on top of his position. After acknowledging the danger, Lieutenant Fox insisted that the last adjustment be fired as this was the only way to defeat the attacking soldiers. Later, when a counterattack retook the position from the Germans, Lieutenant Fox's body was found with the bodies of approximately 100 German soldiers. Lieutenant Fox's gallant and courageous actions, at the supreme sacrifice of his own life, contributed greatly to delaying the enemy advance until other infantry and artillery units could reorganize to repel the attack. His extraordinary valorous actions were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.