Major Lloyd W. Williams (June 5, 1887 – June 12, 1918) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps who served and died in World War I.

Early life and education

Lloyd W. Williams was born on June 5, 1887, in Berryville, Virginia. While very young, his family moved to Washington, DC. After graduating, he became a second lieutenant of the United States Marine Corps on December 11, 1909.

World War I

During World War I, Captain Williams was assigned to command the division's 51st Company in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment.

On June 3, 1918, a brigade of Marines was sent to support the French army at the Battle of Belleau Wood. Lloyd Williams was serving as the commander of the 51st Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. As the Marines arrived, they found French troops retreating. When advised to withdraw by a French colonel at the defensive line just north of the village of Lucy-le-Bocage, Williams bluntly replied: "Retreat, hell! We just got here!"

On June 11, 1918, Williams led an assault that routed the German defenders at Belleau Wood near Chateau-Thierry, France. Only one of the ten officers and 16 of the 250 enlisted men survived or escaped injury. According to a French major's report, after he ordered Williams to withdraw, Williams told him to "go to hell." Later, when Williams had been gassed and injured by shrapnel and lay wounded on the battlefield, he told the approaching medics, "Don't bother with me. Take care of my good men." He later died from a shell explosion as he was being evacuated.

Captain Williams was posthumously promoted to the rank of major.

Awards

Williams received three Silver Star citations and a Purple Heart.

He was recommended for two other awards: (the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross) by his commanding officer, Colonel Wise, but neither was granted.

alt=Major Williams Hall|thumb|304x304px|Major Williams Hall at Virginia Tech

thumb|242x242px|Captain Lloyd W. Williams c.1918

Legacy

  • Major Williams is considered to be the first known Virginian to die in World War I.
  • The U. S. Marine Corps' 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment adopted the motto "Retreat, hell!", in honor of Major Williams. Fighting since 1914, 2/5 is the most highly decorated battalion in Marine history.
  • On September 12, 1919, a new American Legion post in Berryville, Virginia was named in Williams' honor.