https://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/files/original/894b26ab0cc6ea11d487b2633f3492f2.jpg 92133a8fb1448c3bdd2bcf67d119f287 https://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/files/original/129589da9aae1080cbba2ee05975e4f4.jpg cb85ca4ea12d2f211b15cf6096e3dc67 https://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/files/original/33c4fb85eec164f439d5c0844c554802.jpg 4b9227aaca115fb246c0b118daf2a721 https://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/files/original/02d14a80ef56372687e6640ba718b1c6.jpg 13ffe068899827890d82d3d685302ede https://vpiworldwarone.lib.vt.edu/files/original/980d756ef07ba6bf4895c98647d240e0.pdf 980e3a7f1cf440895eb0de03f8038601 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "First Supreme Loss", chapter about Major Williams' wartime service and death from <em>Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the World War</em>, published in 1927 Subject The topic of the resource Major Lloyd Williams Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <em>Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the World War</em> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1927 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource VPI Class of 1907 Person An individual. Last Name Williams First and Middle Name Lloyd William VPI Graduating Class In what VPI class did this individual graduate or what class should they have graduated from? 1907 Rank What military rank did this individual hold? Captain, Major (promoted posthumously) Death Date June 12, 1918 Cause of Death Died of Wounds Place of Death Chateau-Thierry, France Other Events What other significant events, outside of the military, occurred in this individual's life? Captured / Escaped / Wounded Service Branch What branch of the military did this individual serve in? Marine Corps Biographical Text <p style="text-align:left;"><strong>"<i>Retreat Hell! we just got here!</i>"<br /><br /></strong><span>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 (</span><span class="_247o"><span>Virginia Tech</span></span><span>, 1907), from Berryville, Virginia, was assigned to command that division's 51st Company in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment.</span></p> <div> <div class="_1mf _1mj"><span> </span></div> </div> <div> <div class="_1mf _1mj"><span>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!"</span></div> </div> <div> <div class="_1mf _1mj"><span> </span></div> </div> <div> <div class="_1mf _1mj"><span>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.</span></div> </div> <div> <div class="_1mf _1mj"><span> </span></div> </div> <div> <div class="_1mf _1mj"><span>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.</span></div> </div> <div> <div class="_1mf _1mj"><span> </span></div> </div> <div> <div class="_1mf _1mj"><span>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. </span></div> </div> <p></p> <p>Text taken from: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Lloyd_W._Williams">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Lloyd_W._Williams</a></p> Hometown Berryville, Virginia Birth Date January 5, 1887 Birthplace Berryville, Virginia Undergraduate Major What did this individual major in while at VPI? Mechanical Engineering Graduated Yes or no, did this individual graduate from VPI? Yes Unit What unit or ship did this individual serve in or on? 51st Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment 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 What battles or engagements was this individual involved in during World War One? <div>Banana Wars<br /> <ul> <li>Occupation of Nicaragua</li> </ul> <br />World War I</div> <ul> <li>Battle of Chateau-Thierry / Battle of Belleau Wood (Aisne-Marne Offensive)</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Williams, Lloyd William died in service