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Contact Info
Home Town Gastonia, North Carolina
Date of Passing Nov 30, 1993
Location of Interment Hillside Memorial Gardens Cemetery - Plymouth, North Carolina
Wall/Plot Coordinates Section F, Lot 73, Site 1
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
He was the flight engineer/gunner in crew #13 on the Doolittle Raid. He flew more combat missions in the CBI Theater until Mar 1943 and then served in the US until being discharged Jul 4, 1945.
Synopsis of his Silver Star citation: Awarded for actions during World War II
Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Sergeant Adam Ray Williams (ASN: 6969211), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action during World War II.
Action Date: World War II Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Sergeant
His DFC citation: Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Sergeant Adam Ray Williams (ASN: 6969211), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Engineer/Gunner of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942. Sergeant Williams with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.
Action Date: April 18, 1942 Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Sergeant Company: 1st Special Aviation Project Division: Doolittle Tokyo Raider Force Crew #13 (Plane #40-2247, "The Avenger", target Yokosuka): 37th Bomb. Sq. L-R: Lt Clayton J. Campbell, nav., Lt Edgar E. McElroy, pilot; Sgt Adam R. Williams, flt engr/gunner; Lt Richard A. Knobloch, co-pilot; Sgt Robert C. Bourgeois, bombardier. (USAF photo)
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications (B-18A)
General characteristics
* Crew: 6 * Length: 57 ft 10 in (17.6 m) * Wingspan: 89 ft 6 in (27.3 m) * Height: 15 ft 2 in (4.6 m) * Wing area: 959 ft² (89.1 m²) * Empty weight: 16,321 lb (7,400 kg) * Loaded weight: 22,123 lb (10,030 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 27,500 lb (12,600 kg) * Powerplant: 2× Wright R-1820-53 radial engines, 1,000 hp (750 kW) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 215 mph (197 knots, 346 km/h) * Combat range: 999 nm (1,150 mi, 1,850 km)) * Ferry range: 1,800 nm (2,100 mi, 3,400 km) * Service ceiling 23,900 ft (7,280 m) * Rate of climb: 1,030 ft/min (5.2 m/s) * Wing loading: 23.1 lb/ft² (113 kg/m²) * Power/mass: 0.09 hp/lb (150 W/kg)
Armament
* Guns: 3× .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns * Bombs: 4,500 lb (2,200 kg)
