LEWIS IRVING WILLIAMS JR.
Unit: Attack Squadron 85, USS KITTY HAWK
Date of Birth: 25 June 1943 (Nashville GA)
Home City of Record: Jacksonville FL
Date of Loss: 24 April 1967
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 212400N 1061900E (XJ364667)
Status (in 1973): Released POW
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A6A
Other Personnel in Incident: Michael D. Christian
(released POW)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15
April 1990 from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources,
correspondence with POW/MIA families, published
sources, interviews. Updated 02/07 by the POW
NETWORK with information provied by Lewis
Williams.
REMARKS: 730305 RELSD BY DRV
SYNOPSIS: The Grumman A6 Intruder is a two-man
all weather, low-altitude, carrier-based attack
plane, with versions adapted as aerial tanker and
electronic warfare platform. The A6A primarily
flew close-air-support, all-weather and night
attacks on enemy troop concentrations, and night
interdiction missions. Its advanced navigation
and attack system, known as DIANE (Digital
Integrated Attack navigation Equipment) allowed
small precision targets, such as bridges,
barracks and fuel depots to be located and
attacked in all weather conditions, day or night.
The planes were credited with some of the most
difficult single-plane strikes in the war,
including the destruction of the Hai Duong bridge
between Hanoi and Haiphong by a single A6. Their
missions were tough, but their crews among the
most talented and most courageous to serve the
United States. Lt. Lewis I. Williams was a pilot
assigned to Attack Squadron 85 onboard the USS
KITTY HAWK (CVA 63). On April 24, 1967, he
launched in his A6A Intruder attack bomber with
his bombardier/navigator, Lt. Michael D.
Christian, on a daylight strike mission into
North Veitnam. Approximately 3 miles from the
target, their port (left) wing was hit by 85mm
anti-aircraft fire and was subsequently engulfed
in flames. Lt. Williams reversed course and
jettisoned his ordnance before both crewmen
ejected. Both men were seen to land in an open
field about 100 yards apart and established radio
contact with airborne aircraft. The crewmen
appeared uninjured and reported their condition
as good. The ejection occurred in a well-defended,
populated area near the city of Kep in Ha Bac
Province, and capture was almost immediate.
Williams and Christian were held in various
locations in Hanoi, North Vietnam before they
were released in March 1973. Christian received
an award for a birthday during his captivity for
being "The Best Bull Shooter in the Whole World."
Williams' and Christian's lives followed very
diverse courses after their release. Lt. Williams
remained in the Navy and attained the rank of
Captain. In 1989, his duty assignment was with the
office of the Chief of Naval Operations at the
Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Lewis William was
awarded 2 Silver Statrs, 2 Legons of Merit, a
Distinguished Flying Cross and 2 Purple Hearts. Lt.
Christian was promoted during his captivity to the
rank of Lt. Commander. He voluntarily retired on
February 1, 1978 while at the Armed Forces Staff
College. His resignation was as a protest to
president-elect Jimmy Carter's amnesty plan for
draft dodgers. In protest, Christian threw his
medals on the grave of a veteran. He had been
awarded two Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, four
Air Medals, the Legion of Merit, and the Navy
Commendation Medal. In September 1983, Michael D.
Christian died in a fire in his home in Virginia
Beach, Virginia. Williams and Christian were among
591 lucky Americans who were released in 1973 from
Vietnam prisoner of war camps. Unfortunately,
nearly 2300 are still prisoner, missing and
otherwise unaccounted for from the Vietnam war. As
Williams must surely be aware, thousands of reports
relating to these men have been received by the
U.S. Government. The thought that some of their
comrades are still alive is very disturbing to
most returnees. They had a code among them that
none of them could honorably return home unless
they all came home. Today, many authorities who
have reviewed the largely classified information
relating to missing Americans in Southeast Asia
have reluctantly concluded that hundreds of
Americans remain alive today in captivity. It's
long past time our men were home.
SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977
Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret),
Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor P.O.W. Publications,
10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Text is reproduced as found in the original
publication (including date and spelling errors).
UPDATE - 09/95 by the P.O.W. NETWORK, Skidmore, MO
LEWIS IRVING WILLIAMS
Lieutenant- United States Navy
Shot Down: April 24, 1967
Released: March 4,1973
Dear Fellow American,
Words can never truly express my deep sincere
gratitude to you for your warm expressions of
concern and "Welcome Home." During the 2141 days
of my captivity in North Vietnam, I lived in a very
sterile news environment, hearing only what the
communists wanted me to hear - it was always anti
-American. However, the Bamboo Curtain of lies,
hatred, and pain could never hide the truth-the
United States of America is the greatest country
on earth. Many of you want to know a little about
me. I am a bachelor, 6"/2" tall with light brown
hair and hazel eyes. I was born on June 25, 1943,
in Nashville, Georgia, but grew up in
Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from the
public schools there in 1961, I attended the
University of Florida for two years before
enlisting in the United States Navy in January
1964. Upon the completion of pilot training in
July 1965, I was commissioned and received my
Navy "Wings of Gold." I then flew the A6A
"Intruder," an all weather medium attack jet. My
bombadier-navigator, Lt. Cmdr. Michael D.
Christian, and I were attached to Attack Squadron
85 aboard the USS Kitty Hawk when we were shot
down and captured about 30 miles northeast of
Hanoi, North Vietnam, on April 24,1967. We were
released on March 4,1973. I plan to make the Navy
my career and to be assigned to Naval Air Station,
Cecil Field, Florida, to fly the A7 "Corsair II"
this fall. Another bachelor ex-POW and I took a
trip around the world this summer. Now that I am
home, I feel as if I never left. I have had no
problems whatsoever readjusting. I refuse to let
that experience ruin my life with hatred and
bitterness.
Again, my sincerest "thank you" for your concern
and "Welcome Home." It's great to be back. People
like you are the reason it was worth it.
Sincerely,
Lewis Irving Williams, Jr.
Lt. United States Navy
February 1997
Lewis Williams retired from the United States
Navy as a Captain in 1992 following a tour as
Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Alameda,
CA. He currently serves as President of a
non-profit economic education corporation.
He and his wife Pam reside in California.
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