Laurin Lyman Williams (October 3, 1895 – September 10, 1975) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He was the Comptroller of the Army in the late 1950s.

Laurin Lyman Williams
Williams as a colonel commanding the 405th Infantry Regiment
BornOctober 3, 1895 (1895-10-03)
Spokane, Washington
DiedSeptember 10, 1975 (1975-09-11) (aged 79)
San Diego, California
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1917–1957
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands405th Infantry Regiment
Battles / warsWorld War II
Korean War
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Purple Heart

Early life

edit

Williams was born on October 3, 1895, in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from Yale University in 1917 and received a commission as a second lieutenant of infantry through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.[1][2]

Early military career

edit

As a junior officer, Williams served at posts throughout the United States, including Camp Fremont, California and Camp Lee, Virginia. In 1921, he graduated from the Infantry School Basic Course.[3][4][5]

In the mid-1920s, Williams served in China with the 15th Infantry Regiment. He also served as an ROTC instructor at the University of Washington.[6][7][8][9]

Williams graduated from the Tank School Regular Course in 1930. In 1935, he was assigned to Plattsburgh Barracks, New York. In 1939, he completed the Command & General Staff College. In 1940, Williams was assigned to Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was then assigned to the Training and Operations Office, G-3, at the War Department General Staff.[10][11][12][13]

World War II

edit

During World War II, Williams served in Europe, first as commander of the 102nd Infantry Division's 405th Infantry Regiment, and later as assistant division commander of the 29th Infantry Division.[14][15]

Post-World War II

edit

After World War II, Williams served the Intelligence Group of the Army's European Command.[16]

In 1949 June Williams was appointed comptroller of SCAP.[17]

Korean War

edit

General Williams served as comptroller of the U.S. Army's Far East Command from 1949 to 1952.[18][19][20][21]

Post-Korean War

edit

From 1953 to 1954, Williams served as Assistant Comptroller of the Army.[22][23] General Williams served as Comptroller of the Army from 1955 to 1957.[24][25][26]

In early 1957, Williams was assigned to the Sixth United States Army at the Presidio, where he served until his retirement in June of that year.[27][28]

Awards and decorations

edit

Williams received the Distinguished Service Medal. He was also a recipient of the Silver Star. In addition, he was presented the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart.[29][30][31][32]

Retirement and death

edit

In retirement, General Williams resided in La Jolla, California.

He died in San Diego, California on January 6, 1975.[33][34][35] His remains were cremated.[36]

References

edit
  1. ^ World War I Draft Registration Card, Laurin Lyman Williams
  2. ^ Alumni Directory of Yale University Living Graduates & Non-Graduates, published by the university, 1926, page 193
  3. ^ U.S. Army directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1918, page 96
  4. ^ U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1919, page 171
  5. ^ Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1956, page 914
  6. ^ Official U.S. Army , published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1925, page 131
  7. ^ Infantry Journal, Volume 27, 1925, page 157
  8. ^ The United States 15th Infantry Regiment in China, 1912-1938, by Alfred E. Cornebise, 2004, page 157
  9. ^ Alumni Directory of Yale University Living Graduates & Non-Graduates, published by the University, 1926, page 193
  10. ^ Official U. S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General,1935, page 341
  11. ^ Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1957, page 928
  12. ^ Newspaper article, Major, Family Arrive at Fort, San Antonio Express, August 14, 1939
  13. ^ Newspaper article, Stress 'Toughness' in Army Training, New York Times, June 18, 1943
  14. ^ 102nd Infantry Division, World War II commanders and staff Archived 2010-04-11 at the Wayback Machine, United States Army Center of Military History
  15. ^ 29th Infantry Division: a Short History of a Fighting Division, by Joseph H. Ewing, 1992, page 64
  16. ^ Secret Agenda, by Lynda Hunt, 1991, footnote, page 61
  17. ^ General Orders SCAP (文書名:GHQ/SCAP Records, Government Section = 連合国最高司令官総司令部民政局文書) (課係名等:Central Files Branch) (シリーズ名:Miscellaneous Administrative Files and Reports, 1945-52) (ボックス番号:2223 ; フォルダ番号:11) 93 (National Diet Library, Japan)
  18. ^ Newspaper article, Senate Oks 14 for Promotion: Four in Far East, Pacific Stars and Stripes, July 21, 1949
  19. ^ Newspaper article, Preliminary Work Group organized, Pacific Stars and Stripes, March 4, 1952
  20. ^ Newspaper article, McMorland Reassigned to EC, United Press International, published in Pacific Stars and Stripes, June 21, 1952
  21. ^ Newspaper article, Williams, Far East, UNC Comptroller, Reassigned, Pacific Stars and Stripes, August 12, 1952
  22. ^ Newspaper article, Eisenhower Promoted 25 Generals, Pacific Stars and Stripes, October 4, 1954
  23. ^ Newspaper column, On This Date In, Youngstown (Ohio) Vindicator, May 15, 2004
  24. ^ Newspaper article, Ike Nominates Two, Associated Press, published in Pacific Stars and Stripes, February 18, 1955
  25. ^ The U.S. Government Manual, published by U.S. Office of the Federal Register, 1957, page 140
  26. ^ "Principal Officials of the War Department and Department of the Army, 1900-1963". Archived from the original on 2017-01-23. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  27. ^ Newspaper article, Williams to Join Sixth Army, Stars and Stripes, May 10, 1957
  28. ^ Newspaper article, Maj. Gen. Lawton Up for Promotion, Pacific Stars and Stripes, May 12, 1957
  29. ^ "Military Times, hall of Valor, Alphabetical List of Recipients of Major U.S. Military Awards". Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  30. ^ Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1956, page 914
  31. ^ Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1957, page 928
  32. ^ Official U. S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General,1962
  33. ^ Newspaper article, obituary, Marjorie Williams, Pasadena Star-News, February 17, 1959
  34. ^ California Death Index, 1940-1997
  35. ^ Social Security Death Index
  36. ^ "Cremation Slated". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, CA. Associated Press. January 9, 1975. p. 28.