John Francis Williams
Born(1887-01-07)January 7, 1887
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, US
DiedMay 29, 1953(1953-05-29) (aged 66)
Pasadena, California, US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service
  • 1903–1904
  • 1917–1919
  • 1921–1946
RankMajor General
UnitMissouri National Guard
National Guard Bureau
Commands held196th Infantry Brigade
Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal
Other workJournalist

John Francis Williams (January 7, 1887 – May 29, 1953) was an Army National Guard Major General who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau during World War II.

Early life

John Francis Williams was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on January 7, 1887, and raised in Pierce City, Missouri. 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.[1]

He worked as the manager of zinc mines in Missouri until attending college, graduating from the University of Missouri in 1911. He then became a reporter and editor for the St. Louis Star and other Missouri newspapers.[2]

World War I

When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the 128th Machine Gun Battalion, 35th Infantry Division, and served in France until returning home in 1919.[3]

Following the war, Williams became a reporter for the Kansas City Star and editor for the Joplin Globe, later the Joplin News-Herald.[4]

Post World War I

From 1922 to 1936 Williams was director of publications for the University of Missouri.[5]

Williams again entered the military when he was appointed major in June 1921 and became commander of the 128th Field Artillery Regiment with the rank of colonel in April 1923.[6]

In 1935 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the National Guard Bureau as a brigadier general, and also served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau's Regulations and Personnel Divisions.[7] In 1936 he acted as Chief of the National Guard Bureau prior to Albert H. Blanding assuming the post.[8]

World War II

He was appointed as Chief of the National Guard Bureau in January 1940, with the rank of major general, and served for the entire duration of the US involvement in World War II.[9][10]

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.[11]

Awards and decorations

Williams received the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his World War II service.[12]

Death and burial

Following retirement in January 1946, Williams moved to Pasadena, California, where he died from cancer on May 29, 1953.[13] Williams and his wife Mary Way Williams (1889–1952) are buried at Arlington National Cemetery[14][15]

References

  1. ↑ Military Surgeons of the United States, The Military Surgeon magazine, Volumes 86-87, 1940, p. 197
  2. ↑ New York National Guard, New York National Guardsman magazine, March, 1940, p. 6
  3. ↑ United States Field Artillery Association, Field Artillery Journal, Volume 56, 1922, p. 55
  4. ↑ Military Surgeons of the United States, The Military Surgeon magazine, Volumes 86-87, 1940, p. 197
  5. ↑ New York National Guard, New York National Guardsman magazine, March, 1940, p. 6
  6. ↑ Missouri National Guard, History of the Missouri National Guard, 1934, p. 17
  7. ↑ Bill Clark, Columbia Daily Tribune, Mid-Missouri Learned of South Carolina’s Secession, December 23, 2010
  8. ↑ Military Surgeons of the United States, The Military Surgeon magazine, Volumes 86-87, 1940, p. 197
  9. ↑ Oregon National Guard, Oregon Guard Bulletin New Chief Chosen by War Secretary, March, 1940, p. 2
  10. ↑ National Guard Bureau, Annual Report for 1946, 1947, p. 4
  11. ↑ Charles J. Gross, National Guard Association of the United States, A Force Within, June, 2012
  12. ↑ Military Times, Hall of Valor, Distinguished Service Medal citation, John F. Williams Archived 2015-01-06 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 19, 2013
  13. ↑ New York Times, Maj. Gen. Williams, Led National Guard, May 31, 1953
  14. ↑ Burial Detail: Williams John F (Section 3, Grave 1872-B) – ANC Explorer
  15. ↑ Arlington National Cemetery, Burial record, John F. Williams Archived 2015-04-18 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 19, 2013
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