SALUTE TO WESLEY VILLAGE VETERANS
To be of Service
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Donald Williams Around this time 70 years ago, Donald Williams was serving in a medical detachment in an Army Medical Corps battalion in Korea as a combat medic after completing his basic training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. On May 16, 1952, Williams received a message from Army headquarters that he was awarded the Silver Star. This was the message: “Corporal Williams, acting as a medical aid man of a 155 mm self-propelled gun of an artillery battery, distinguished himself by gallantry in action against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Hill 882, Korea. On April 9, 1952, while firing on enemy positions, the gun and crew were subjected to an intense army artillery and mortar
barrage. An enemy mortar shell scored a direct hit on the selfpropelled gun, killing one man and wounding eight others. The impact of the burst knocked Corporal Williams to the ground, and although suffering excruciating pain from shell fragments received in the hands and thigh, he immediately regained his feet and commenced administering aid to the wounded men. While he was in this exposed position, the enemy continued their intense barrage. However, at great risk to his life, he refused to leave his post until he had completed treatment of the wounded and was assured they had been evacuated to safety.” He had already been awarded the Purple Heart on April 17 for wounds received in action. Williams consoles himself with the fact that he saved six people but is saddened by the loss of two. “The shell went off in the body of the tank,” he said. Donald was discharged from the hospital on Dec. 12, 1952. Two weeks later he turned 20 years old. After his injuries healed he was “active” for one and a half years and then served in the National Guard, 109th Field Artillery for six years. He was also nominated for the Medal of Honor for his service. When he came home he went to trade school in Ohio and worked as a fitter welder for 41 years at Air Products and Chemicals in Hanover Township. The Williams family suffered a tragedy seven years ago. Christopher Daniel, their grand-
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son who had served in Iraq and was attending college at Bloomsburg University, was on his way home to Wilkes-Barre at Christmastime when he hit black ice and died in the crash. Donald planted a blue spruce tree in memory of his grandson outside his window at United Methodist Home where he and his wife, Elizabeth, live. He lights the tree every evening from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Donald and Elizabeth have been married for 65 years. At 88 years old, his simple recipe for a long marriage is eloquent: ``I loved her then and I love her now. She is the best thing for me.” They have six children, three boys and three girls, 18 grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren. In his younger years, Williams was a boy scout and volunteered as a scoutmaster for 60 years. He said he is proud of his time in the military and his motto is “To be of service.” His advice to servicemen: “I wish them well.” Happenings thanks Donald Williams for his service. H –Christine Fanning
November 2021
