John Francis Williams (January 7, 1887 – May 29, 1953) was an

Army National Guard The Army National Guard (ARNG), in conjunction with the Air National Guard, is an organized Militia (United States), militia force and a Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, federal military reserve force of the United States A ...

Major General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

Early life

John Francis Williams was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on January 7, 1887, and raised in

Pierce City, Missouri Pierce City, formerly Peirce City, is a city in southwest Lawrence and northwest Barry counties, in southwest Missouri, United States. The population was 1,292 at the 2010 census. In 2010, the town annexed property along Route 97 into Barry Count ...

. He enlisted in the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the Missouri National Guard in March 1903 and was discharged in September 1904 with the rank of

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...

. He worked as the manager of zinc mines in Missouri until attending college, graduating from the

University of Missouri The University of Missouri (Mizzou, MU, or Missouri) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Universit ...

in 1911. He then became a reporter and editor for the St. Louis Star and other Missouri newspapers.

World War I

When the United States entered

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

in April 1917, he was commissioned a

first lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a s ...

in the 128th Machine Gun Battalion, 35th Infantry Division, and served in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

until returning home in 1919. Following the war, Williams became a reporter for the ''

Kansas City Star ''The Kansas City Star'' is a newspaper based in Kansas City, Missouri. Published since 1880, the paper is the recipient of eight Pulitzer Prizes. ''The Star'' is most notable for its influence on the career of President Harry S. Truman and as ...

'' and editor for the ''

Joplin Globe ''The Joplin Globe'' is a five-day daily newspaper published in Joplin, Missouri, United States, covering parts of 14 counties in southwestern Missouri. Ottaway Community Newspapers owned the ''Globe'' from 1975 to 2002. Since 2002, it has been ow ...

'', later the ''Joplin News-Herald''.

Post World War I

From 1922 to 1936 Williams was director of publications for the University of Missouri. Williams again entered the military when he was appointed

major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

in June 1921 and became commander of the 128th Field Artillery Regiment with the rank of

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

in April 1923. In 1935 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the National Guard Bureau as a

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

, and also served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau's Regulations and Personnel Divisions. In 1936 he acted as Chief of the National Guard Bureau prior to Albert H. Blanding assuming the post.

World War II

He was appointed as Chief of the National Guard Bureau in January 1940, with the rank of

major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

, and served for the entire duration of the US involvement in

. During his tenure Williams lobbied to ensure that the National Guard would be considered in the Army's post-war plans, and that it would be included in the newly organized

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...

Awards and decorations

Williams received the

Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a high award of a nation. Examples include: *Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) (established 1991), awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in action * Distinguishe ...

in recognition of his World War II service.

Death and burial

Following retirement in January 1946, Williams moved to

Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district. I ...

, where he died from cancer on May 29, 1953. Williams and his wife Mary Way Williams (1889–1952) are buried at

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

Arlington National Cemetery
Burial record, John F. Williams
, accessed April 19, 2013

References

External links

John F. Williams
at Arlington National Cemetery

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, John F. 1887 births 1953 deaths People from Pierce City, Missouri University of Missouri alumni American military personnel of World War I Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) National Guard (United States) generals United States Army generals Chiefs of the National Guard Bureau People from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Military personnel from Pasadena, California Burials at Arlington National Cemetery United States Army generals of World War II Military personnel from Pennsylvania