Lloyd W. Williams: USMC Hero

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“Retreat? Hell, we just got here.”

These are the famous words uttered by Captain Lloyd W. Williams of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Battle of Belleau Wood (World War I). He was a company commander in the 5th Marines; when it was recommended he should withdraw his men, he uttered this phrase which lives on in Marine Corp history.

This was a particularly bloody battle because the American forces had to make their way across an open field in order to capture the woods. This battle was particularly important because of its location so near Paris, France.

The field Williams and his men were in was being constantly bombarded with German artillery and machine gun fire. The Americans and the French forces were utilizing snipers and sharpshooters in defense. The Marine Corps set a record for casualties that day, which would stand until they captured Tarawa in World War II in November of 1943.

About Lloyd W. Williams

Williams was born in the small town of Berryville, Virginia on June 5th, 1887. He died on June 12th 1918 in the Battle of Chateau-Thierry. After his death he was promoted to major and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross as well as the Purple Heart for losing his life in battle.

Lloyd W. Williams not only distinguished himself as a USMC hero, but it is also said that he is the first person from Virginia to have died in World War I. He went to school at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute graduating with the class of 1907. It was in 1957 the school honored his memory by dedicating Major Williams Hall to his name.

There are a number of memorials to honor those who lost their lives in this the most ferocious and bloody battle of the First World War. In Germany a cemetery was created in March of 1922 that includes the bodies of men, most unknown or resting in a common grave, that were killed in 1918 between the rivers of Aisne and Marne. They are joined in their final resting place with 70 men who gave their lives in the 1st Battle of the Marne in 1914.

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While you are here, check out the Ka-Bar USMC 100th Anniversary Fighting Knife and the other great Kabar Knives we have.