Williams, Lloyd William
Title
Williams, Lloyd William
Last Name
Williams
First and Middle Name
Lloyd William
Biographical Text
"Retreat Hell! we just got here!"
100 years ago, in early June 1918, a division of Marines were sent to support the French army at the Battle of Belleau Wood. Captain Lloyd Williams (Virginia Tech, 1907), from Berryville, Virginia, was assigned to command that division's 51st Company in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment.
As they arrived on the field they found the French in retreat. When a French officer advised withdraw to a more defensive line Williams reportedly replied: "Retreat Hell! we just got here!"
Days later, on June 11, 1918, Williams led an assault that routed the German defenders at Belleau Wood near Chateau-Thierry. In that assault only 1 of the 10 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 on June 12 from a shell explosion as he was being evacuated.
Captain Williams was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major, 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 - but neither was granted.
Major Llloyd Williams is not only the first Virginian to die in World War I, he is also the first Virginia Tech alumnus to die in the war. Since then Williams has been remembered by the Marine Corps' 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment through their adopted motto: "Retreat Hell. He has also been remembered at Virginia Tech through Major Williams Hall (aka: Major Bill), which was named by Virginia Tech in his honor in 1957.
Text taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Lloyd_W._Williams
Hometown
Berryville, Virginia
Birth Date
January 5, 1887
Birthplace
Berryville, Virginia
Death Date
June 12, 1918
Cause of Death
Died of Wounds
Place of Death
Chateau-Thierry, France
VPI Graduating Class
1907
Undergraduate Major
Mechanical Engineering
Graduated
Yes
Service Branch
Marine Corps
Unit
51st Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment
Rank
Captain, Major (promoted posthumously)
Decorations or Citations
3 Silver Stars and a Purple Heart; Williams was recommended by his commanding officer, Colonel Wise, to receive the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross but neither were granted.
Battles or Engagements
Banana Wars
World War I
- Occupation of Nicaragua
World War I
- Battle of Chateau-Thierry / Battle of Belleau Wood (Aisne-Marne Offensive)
Other Events
Captured / Escaped / Wounded
Files
Collection
Citation
“Williams, Lloyd William,” VPI in World War I, accessed April 19, 2024, http://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/items/show/644.
Comments (if you have information about a veteran or would like to talk about a veteran, also email the project director Daniel Newcomb at danieln1@vt.edu with your information or question)