Other Memories
On December 30, 1946, a Martin Mariner PBM "flying boat" (GEORGE 1) with a crew of nine rose from the Antarctic sea on an exploratory flight to the Antarctic continent in the vicinity of Ellsworth Land. As a participant in the Antarctic Developments Project 1946-47, code-named OPERATION HIGHJUMP, they were part of a three-pronged attack to photograph and map the Antarctic coastline and certain inland areas. As they lifted from the water at 2:44 a.m., the USS PINE ISLAND, to which they were attached, slowly disappeared behind them as they flew due south on their mission. Approximately four hours later, the Ice would claim it's first American lives. Six men would live to return from that flight. AMM1 Williams was killed in the line of duty. His body was not recovered but left with the other two bodies at the crash site.
Criteria This medal is a continuation of the series of medals established by Congress to commemorate polar expeditions. Specifically, it is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, any U... This medal is a continuation of the series of medals established by Congress to commemorate polar expeditions. Specifically, it is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, any U.S. Citizen, or any resident alien of the United States who, after January 1, 1946 has served or serves on the Antarctic Continent or in support of U.S. operations there. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams would complete six years of service with the navy and in July, 1946, he re-enlisted for another two years. While home that July on a 75-day furlough, Fred shared his enthusiasm over the ... Fred Williams would complete six years of service with the navy and in July, 1946, he re-enlisted for another two years. While home that July on a 75-day furlough, Fred shared his enthusiasm over the prospects of being on the Byrd Expedition. He was killed in the line of duty in December 1946 in Antarctica. His body was left at the crash site. He has wintered-over more than sixty times. MoreHide
Other Memories
Fred attended Clarksburg High School, near Huntingdon. Known as a fearsome and adventurous young man, Fred was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands.
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria
The World War II Victory Medal commemorates military service during the Second World War.
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Comments Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Description In the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, from November 1943 through February 1944, were key strategic operations of the United States Pacific Fleet and MarineIn the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, from November 1943 through February 1944, were key strategic operations of the United States Pacific Fleet and Marine Corps in the Central Pacific. The purpose was to establish airfields that would allow land based air support for the upcoming operations across the Central Pacific. The campaign began with a costly three-day battle for the island of Betio at the Tarawa atoll. The campaign was preceded a year earlier by a diversionary raid on Makin Island by U.S. Marines in August, 1942.
About 4,000 kilometers southwest of the Hawaii Islands, the Marshall Islands represented part of the perimeter of the Japanese Pacific empire. The former German colony was given to Japan after the closure of WW1, and had since been an important part of both offensive and defensive plans of the Japanese Navy. By the end of 1943, Admiral Mineichi Koga of the Japanese Combined Fleet knew the Americans were eyeing the islands, but he could not figure out where they would strike. His difficulties were further complicated by the lack of carrier aircraft, as they were taken away from him in an attempt to reinforce land-based squadrons. With his hands tied, all Koga could do was to send his submarines out as forward observers and order the regional commander in Truk Admiral Masashi Kobayashi to reinforce the island garrisons that were most exposed to American attacks. Kobayashi shifted men to the outer islands of Jaluit, Mili, Wotje, and Maloelap. In total, Kobayashi had 28,000 troops available to him in the Marshall Islands. For a garrison that size ground fortifications were sub-par, but that was rather by design at this stage of the war, for that Tokyo had since decided that the Marshall Islands were to serve only as a part of a delay action campaign. The new defensive perimeter was to be established much closer to the home islands.
American intelligence decoded Japanese messages and detected movements for the outer islands, and decided to change the invasion plans. Unbeknownst to the Japanese, the Americans were now bypassing the reinforced outer islands; they were now directly attacking Kwajalein and Eniwetok.... More
Memories Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fiercFred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... More
Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Other Memories
Fred attended Clarksburg High School, near Huntingdon. Known as a fearsome and adventurous young man, Fred was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands.
Criteria The American Defense Service Medal was awarded for service in the Armed Forces between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941. Army members had to serve 12 months to be eligible, but Navy and Marine ... The American Defense Service Medal was awarded for service in the Armed Forces between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941. Army members had to serve 12 months to be eligible, but Navy and Marine Corps members were eligible based on any length of service. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
Criteria The American Defense Service Medal was awarded for service in the Armed Forces between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941. Army members had to serve 12 months to be eligible, but Navy and Marine ... The American Defense Service Medal was awarded for service in the Armed Forces between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941. Army members had to serve 12 months to be eligible, but Navy and Marine Corps members were eligible based on any length of service. MoreHide
Description Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. ... Fred Williams was 20 years old when he entered the US Navy in 1940. During WWII he fought many fierce battles in the Pacific theatre and was seriously wounded in the battle of the Marshall Islands. MoreHide
On December 30, 1946, a Martin Mariner PBM "flying boat" (GEORGE 1) with a crew of nine rose from the Antarctic sea on an exploratory flight to the Antarctic continent in the vicinity of Ellsworth Land. As a participant in the Antarctic Developments Project 1946-47, code-named OPERATION HIGHJUMP, they were part of a three-pronged attack to photograph and map the Antarctic coastline and certain inland areas. As they lifted from the water at 2:44 a.m., the USS PINE ISLAND, to which they were attached, slowly disappeared behind them as they flew due south on their mission. Approximately four hours later, the Ice would claim it's first American lives. Six men would live to return from that flight. AMM1 Williams was killed in the line of duty. His body was not recovered but left with the other two bodies at the crash site.