Gregon A. Williams

Gregon Albert Williams (January 8, 1896 – September 8, 1968) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general, who commanded 6th Marine Regiment during the Battle of Okinawa and later as chief of staff of 1st Marine Division during Korean War.

Early service
Gregon Williams was born on January 8, 1896, in Carrollton, Illinois. His family moved to San Diego, California, in his early years and he attended high school there. Williams enrolled at junior college, but with the United States entry into World War I in April 1917, he decided to enlist rather than study. He chose the Marine Corps in June 1917 and was sent as private for basic training to Boot Camp within Marine barracks at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California.

However, instead of being sent to France, Williams sailed for Santo Domingo with 2nd Provisional Brigade of Marines under the command of Brigadier General Joseph H. Pendleton. He reached the rank of first sergeant and served with Dominican Guardia Nacional as company commander. Williams has been decorated with Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal for his enlisted service and returned to the United States in November 1922.

He received a direct commission to second lieutenant on December 23, 1922 and was assigned to officer basic course at School of Application within Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia. Williams graduated in July 1923 and subsequently was assigned to Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina. He remained in this capacity until summer 1924, when he was transferred for Dominican Republic again.

Following his return to the United States, he was assigned to 10th Marine Regiment at Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia. In October 1926, Williams was ordered with his regiment to St. Louis, Missouri, and attached for mail guard duties during railway mail robberies. Williams returned from St. Louis in March 1927 and subsequently sailed for Tientsin, China as a member of the 10th Marines within 3rd Brigade of Marines during Yangtze Patrol. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in February 1928 and appointed the brigade's intelligence officer. Williams also additionally served as aide-de-camp of the brigade's commanding general, Smedley Butler.

Williams returned home in January 1929 and was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served for one year. He sailed for Nicaragua in January 1930 and was appointed commander of patrols within Guardia Nacional. Williams commanded Nicaraguan National guard units during several skirmishes with Sandino bandits in Somoto region and was decorated with the Navy Cross by the Secretary of the Navy Charles F. Adams for his service there. He also received Nicaraguan Cross of Valor and Diploma by the Government of Nicaragua.

He remained in Nicaragua until January 1933, when he was assigned back to the Headquarters Marine Corps. Williams later attended the Officers Junior Course at School of Application in Quantico and was appointed intelligence officer at Marine Corps Base San Diego, California. While served there, he was promoted to the rank of captain in March 1935. Williamss was subsequently appointed commanding officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the battleship USS Mississippi in June 1937.

World War II
Captain Williams was transferred to China in June 1939 and appointed assistant naval attaché in Shanghai. With his new assignment, he was promoted to the rank of major on the same date. Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, all Marine Detachments and other allied personnel were captured by the Imperial Japanese Army units. Japan already occupied Northern China since July 1937, and Shanghai was located deep in the occupation zone. Williams with several officers attempted to escape to Peking, but were captured and interned in Shanghai.

He was released due to his diplomatic status and repatriated to the United States aboard the liner SS Gripsholm in August 1942. Upon his return, Williams was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and decorated with Legion of Merit for his service in Shangai.

After few months of medical leave, Williams returned to China in January 1943 and was assigned to the American Embassy in Chungking as naval observer. He also simultaneously served within U.S. Naval Group China as instructor for Kuomintang guerrillas. Williams returned to the United States in July 1944 and after promotion to colonel, he relieved Colonel James P. Riseley as commanding officer of the 6th Marine Regiment just following the Battle of Saipan. The 6th Marines sustained heavy casualties on Saipan and Williams supervised training and refitting of the regiment until the spring of 1945.

With the beginning of April 1945, Williams led his regiment to Okinawa as a part of 2nd Marine Division under Major General Thomas E. Watson. He distinguished himself again and received Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V".

Later service
Colonel Williams participated with the regiment in occupation duties in Japan, until he was relieved by Colonel Jack P. Juhan at the beginning of November 1945. He was subsequently appointed 2nd Division chief of staff under Major General LeRoy P. Hunt. The occupation duties ended for 2nd Division in June 1946, and Williams sailed for United States. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before he relocated to Camp Pendleton, California for duty as chief of staff, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

Upon the outbreak of Korean War, Williams was transferred to the staff of 1st Marine Division under Major General Oliver P. Smith in June 1950. He participated in the Inchon Landing, Second Battle of Seoul and Battle of Chosin Reservoir, and even he ran the division staff with iron hand, he was decorated with two awards of Legion of Merit with Combat "V". Williams was succeeded by Colonel Victor H. Krulak at the end of January 1951 and transferred back to the United States.

He was also promoted to the rank of brigadier general on January 1, 1951 and appointed commanding general, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic at Camp Lejeune. His last assignment came in April 1953, when he was appointed Inspector General of the Marine Corps. He served in this capacity until September 1954, when he retired from the Marine Corps and was advanced to the rank of major general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.

Major General Gregon A. Williams died on September 8, 1968, in San Diego, California. He is buried at Greenwood Memorial Park.

Decorations
Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Gregon A. Williams: