The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting
The NAVY CROSS to
AIRCRAFTMEN FIRST CLASS LLOYD T. WILLIAM, JR.
UNITED STATES NAVY
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lloyd T. Williams, Jr., Aircraftman First Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 28 April 1969 while serving as a Crew Chief and Door Gunner with Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron THREE (HAL(L)-3), Detachment THREE, Task Force 116 (TF-116), during a strike mission against enemy sampans in the Republic of Vietnam. When the wing-aircraft was struck by ground fire and crashed, and his own aircraft was also struck and forced to land, Petty Officer Williams calmly directed the preparations for the forced landing while continuing to return the enemy fire. After his aircraft had landed and the crew had abandoned it, he advanced toward the enemy under heavy fire and established a defensive position on the path leading to the enemy positions. Observing a crew member from the crashed wing-aircraft moving in the midst of the wreckage, Petty Officer Williams exposed himself to the blistering fire and ran across an open field to rescue the casualty. After carrying the severely injured man back across the open field to an area near the defensive perimeter, Petty Officer Williams returned to the wreckage in an attempt to find others from its crew. Obliged to suppress enemy fire in order to conduct his search, he persisted in his rescue attempts, despite the heat from the fire and the dangers of the exploding ammunition, until his ammunition was exhausted. Petty Officer Williams then ran to the defensive perimeter to report that the enemy had started using mortars, and proceeded to assist a casualty aboard a rescue helicopter before boarding the craft himself to render first aid to the other wounded. Petty Officer Williams’ determined efforts, his indomitable courage under fire, and his inspiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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