
The President of the United States
in the name of
The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
WILLIAMS, ERNEST CALVIN
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S.
Marine Corps. Born: 2 August 1887, Broadwell, Ill. Accredited to:
Illinois. G.O. No.: 289, 27 April 1917. Other Navy award: Navy Cross.
Citation:
In action against hostile forces at San Francisco de Macoris,
Dominican Republic, 29 November 1916. With only a dozen men available, 1st Lt. Williams
rushed the gate of the fortress. With 8 of his party wounded by rifle fire of the
defenders, he pressed on with the 4 remaining men, threw himself against the door just as
it was being closed by the Dominicans and forced an entry. Despite a narrow escape from
death at the hands of a rifleman, he and his men disposed of the guards and within a few
minutes had gained control of the fort and the hundred prisoners confined there.
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