Lester Williams, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Lester Williams, Jr. (US51981676), Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery C, 8th Battalion, 6th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division. Specialist Four Williams distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 November 1968 while serving as cannoneer. His unit’s night position, located west of An Loc, was fiercely attacked by a North Vietnamese Army force. Following an initial barrage of mortar and rocket-propelled grenade rounds, the aggressors launched a ground attack which brought them deep within the defensive perimeter. Exposing himself to the fusillade, Specialist Williams ran to his bunker and fired his machine gun with deadly accuracy into the advancing North Vietnamese soldiers. Suddenly an enemy grenade landed in the bunker. He immediately threw himself upon it to save the lives of his comrades and was killed by the explosion. Specialist Four Williams’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5902 (December 30, 1968)