Ernest Calvin Williams (August 2, 1887 – July 31, 1940) was a

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...

officer who received the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...

for his actions on November 29, 1916, during the Battle of San Francisco de Macoris. Then 1st Lt Williams, leading 12 Marines, charged and captured the fortress from a numerically superior enemy. These actions were part of the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic. He was later awarded the

Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is eq ...

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: August 2, 1887, Broadwell, Illinois Accredited to: Illinois. G.O. No.: 289, April 27, 1917. Other Navy award: Navy Cross. Citation:

In action against hostile forces at San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, 29 November 1916. With only a dozen men available, First Lieutenant Williams rushed the gate of the fortress. With eight of his party wounded by rifle fire of the defenders, he pressed on with four remaining men, threw himself against the door just as it was being closed by the Dominicans and forced an entry. Despite a narrow escape from death at the hands of a rifleman, he and his men disposed of the guards and within a few minutes had gained control of the fort and the hundred prisoners confined there. G.O. Navy Department, No. 289, April 27, 1917.

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: : * * * * 1887 births 1940 deaths United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) People from Logan County, Illinois United States Marine Corps colonels Recipients of the Silver Star Occupation of the Dominican Republic recipients of the Medal of Honor American military personnel of the Banana Wars United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I Military personnel from Illinois {{USMC-bio-stub

Medal of Honor citation

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