John F. Williams
Encyclopedia
John Francis Williams was an Army National Guard
general and Chief of the National Guard Bureau
during World War II
. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
.
Williams enlisted in the Missouri National Guard
in March 1903, and was discharged only a year later in September 1904 with the rank of private
. He then attended the University of Missouri
, graduating in 1911, and became a reporter for the Kansas City Star. 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 (a federalized National Guard unit) and served in France
from 1918 to until the division was disbanded 1919. Following the war, he became a reporter and editor for the Joplin Globe.
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. He also served as commander of the 196th Infantry Brigade
from 1932 to 1937. He was appointed as Chief of the NGB in January 1940, and promoted to the rank of major general
. He served as National Guard chief for the entire duration of the US involvement in WWII, and finally retired in January 1946.
Following his retirement, Williams moved to California
, and died from cancer in Pasadena, California
.
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
general and Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Chief of the National Guard Bureau
The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is the head of the National Guard Bureau, which is a joint activity of the Department of Defense , and is the highest ranking officer in the National Guard and the National Guard of the United States ; the latter of which is a joint reserve component of the...
during World War II
World 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...
. He was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
.
Williams enlisted in the Missouri National Guard
Missouri National Guard
The Missouri National Guard consists of the:*Missouri Army National Guard*Missouri Air National Guard-External links:* compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History...
in March 1903, and was discharged only a year later in September 1904 with the rank of private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
. He then attended the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, graduating in 1911, and became a reporter for the Kansas City Star. When the United States entered World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in April 1917, he was commissioned a first lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
in the 128th Machine Gun Battalion, 35th Infantry Division (a federalized National Guard unit) and served in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
from 1918 to until the division was disbanded 1919. Following the war, he became a reporter and editor for the Joplin Globe.
Williams again entered the military when he was appointed major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in June 1921 and became commander of the 128th Field Artillery Regiment with the rank of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in April 1923. He also served as commander of the 196th Infantry Brigade
196th Infantry Brigade (United States)
The 196th Infantry Brigade , also known as the Charger Brigade was first formed on 24 June 1921 as part of the United States Army Reserve's 98th Division with the responsibility of training soldiers.-World War II:...
from 1932 to 1937. He was appointed as Chief of the NGB in January 1940, and promoted to the rank of major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
. He served as National Guard chief for the entire duration of the US involvement in WWII, and finally retired in January 1946.
Following his retirement, Williams moved to 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 died from cancer in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
.