James E. Williams

Who was James E. Williams?

James Elliott Williams was a sailor of the United States Navy during the 1950s and 1960s. He was the most highly decorated enlisted man in the history of the United States Navy.

Williams was born in Fort Mill, South Carolina and moved two months later with his parents to Darlington, South Carolina where he spent his early childhood and youth. He attended the local schools and graduated from St. John's high school. He was married to the former Elaine Weaver and they had five children and seven grandchildren. He is buried at the Florence National Cemetery in Florence, South Carolina. He has a son James Williams, granddaughter Sarah Caroline Williams, and great granddaughter Ava Bianca Svaton who are all from Darlington, SC.