THE WALL OF FACES

I met Thad when we were in ROTC training together at Ft. Benning in 1962. We were in the same squad and platoon. I will always remember his great smile and soft-spoken manner. Later in 1964, Chad and I happened to meet at Ft. Rucker during flight training. He was one class ahead of me. He still had that wonderful smile and caring interest in how I was doing. I will always remember Thad. My children slept safe and secure because he stood his watch. All gave some but some gave all.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Thad and I become close friends in the 20th ASTA Det at Ft. Riley. He had a charming girlfriend at the time, when we picnicked on a Labor Day visit. Thad and I roomed together crossing the Pacific and in Nha Trang. The unit’s other pilots were mostly white Southerners. Thad maintained his dignity despite an undercurrent of prejudice. He died on a mission which the scheduled pilot refused to fly. I liked Thad for his intelligence, talent, and seriousness about life as well as his smile and sense of humor.

Thad and I become close friends in the 20th ASTA Det at Ft. Riley. He had a charming girlfriend at the time, when we picnicked on a Labor Day visit. Thad and I roomed together crossing the Pacific and in Nha Trang. The unit’s other pilots were mostly white Southerners. Thad maintained his dignity despite an undercurrent of prejudice. He died on a mission which the scheduled pilot refused to fly. I liked Thad for his intelligence, talent, and seriousness about life as well as his smile and sense of humor.

I would like to apprise interested readers that Captain T.E. Williams, Junior was the son of Captain Thaddeus Edward Williams , Senior who served as a chaplain in World War II. Also. very tragically, his mother Mrs. Roberta Williams who was a radio personality in Mobile Alabama on station WGOK who played gospel music and was also an administrator at the Alabama Department of Labor died in November 0f 1965 just prior to his death in January 1966 a month before his 23d birthday celebration.