Laurin Lyman Williams
Encyclopedia
Laurin Lyman Williams was a Lieutenant General
in the United States Army
. He was prominent during his service as the Comptroller of the Army in the late 1950s.
. He graduated from Yale University
in 1917 and received a commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry
through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.
, California
and Camp Lee, Virginia
. In 1921 he graduated from the Infantry School Basic Course.
In the mid 1920s Williams served in China
with the 15th Infantry Regiment. He also served as an R.O.T.C. instructor at the University of Washington
.
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.
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.
.
General Williams served as Comptroller of the Army from 1955 to 1957.
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.
. 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
.
on January 6, 1975.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He was prominent during his service as the Comptroller of the Army in the late 1950s.
Early life
Williams was born on October 3, 1895, Spokane, WashingtonSpokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
. He graduated from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1917 and received a commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Early military career
As a junior officer Williams carried out assignments at posts throughout the United States, including Camp FremontCamp Fremont
Camp Fremont was a World War I-era military base located near Palo Alto, California. Construction started in July, 1917 and the post closed in September, 1919.-Location:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Camp Lee, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. In 1921 he graduated from the Infantry School Basic Course.
In the mid 1920s Williams served in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
with the 15th Infantry Regiment. He also served as an R.O.T.C. instructor at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
.
Williams graduated from the Tank School Regular Course in 1930. In 1935 he was assigned to Plattsburgh Barracks
Old Stone Barracks
The "Old Stone Barracks" is the last remaining structure of a proposed quadrangle of early U.S. Army barracks built at Plattsburgh, New York in 1838. Of the four main buildings initially planned for the Plattsburgh post, only two were ever constructed, an officer's barracks and an enlisted...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In 1939 he completed the Command & General Staff College. In 1940 Williams was assigned to Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. He was then assigned to the Training and Operations Office, G-3, at the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
General Staff.
World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Williams served in Europe
European Theatre of World War II
The European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
, first as commander of the 102nd Infantry Division’s 405th Infantry Regiment, and later as assistant division commander of the 29th Infantry Division.
Post World War II
After World War II Williams served the Intelligence Group of the Army's European CommandUnited States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
.
Korean War
General Williams served as comptroller of the U.S. Army’s Far East Command from 1949 to 1952.Post Korean War
From 1953 to 1954 Williams served as Assistant Comptroller of the Army.General Williams served as Comptroller of the Army from 1955 to 1957.
In early 1957 Williams was assigned to the Sixth United States Army at the Presidio
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
, where he served until his retirement in June of that year.
Awards and decorations
Williams received the Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (Army)
The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
. He was also a recipient of the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
. In addition, he was presented the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
.
Retirement and death
In retirement General Williams resided in La Jolla, California. He died in San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
on January 6, 1975.