THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Distinguished Service Cross citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear Sgt Robert Williamson, Thank you for your service as a Radio Operator. Your 55th anniversary is in 6 days, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. You are remembered. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Without brave people like you our great nation wouldn't exist. Thank you and rest in peace SGT. Williamson. You shall never be forgotten.

Sergeant Robert Joe Williamson, Served with Biet Dong Quan Advisory Team 33 (Vietnamese Rangers), Advisory Team 100, Headquarters, Military Assistance Command Vietnam Advisors, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV), United States Army Vietnam.

Robert Joe Williamson
Date of birth: 3-Mar-45
Date of death: January 31, 1968
Home of record: Lawrenceburg Indiana
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Robert Joe Williamson (ASN: RA-16775081), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Advisory Team 100, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Sergeant Williamson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 while serving as Advisory to a Vietnamese Ranger unit on a search and destroy operation in the outskirts of Saigon. While moving along a canal south of the city, his unit was attacked by an estimated Viet Cong battalion firing automatic weapons and rockets. Braving withering hostile fire, Sergeant Williamson led his men in an assault across one hundred and fifty meters of open ground to a dike wall, and, from there, directed devastating fire on the determined enemy. When his machine gunner was hit and fell in front of the wall into the enemy line of fire, Sergeant Williamson unhesitantly went to the soldier's rescue, and, amid a hail of bullets, pulled the man to safety. Attempts to mark the Viet Cong positions with smoke grenades, which would enable accurate air strikes, were hampered by a treeline and a barbed wire fence to the front. Realizing the importance of air support, Sergeant Williamson once more advanced forward of the dike under intense fire and threw two grenades on the enemy location. Several Vietnamese soldiers and a fellow advisor had advanced to a small house forward of the friendly lines and were pinned down by a vicious Viet Cong barrage. Completely disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Williamson led an assault directly into the face of hostile weapons to relieve the trapped men. He was mortally wounded by enemy fire as he furiously charged the Viet Cong positions. His fearless actions inspired his men to continue the attack, overwhelm and decisively defeat the enemy forces. Sergeant Williamson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1172 (March 18, 1968)

Action Date: 31-Jan-68

Service: Army

Rank: Sergeant

Company: Advisory Team 100

Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam