HONOR MISSION
PVT Myron Elton Williams, 30, US Army, KIA, WWII, Purple Heart/Bronze Star Recipient, Urbana, IL
The family of Private Myron Elton Williams has requested the presence and participation of the Patriot Guard Riders at the Procession and Committal Services of their Loved One.
Myron entered Active-Duty in the United States Army on 17 September 1943. He was assigned to
the 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, which eventually deployed to Devonshire,
England on 26-29 January 1944, moving later to Southbrent, England on 15 May 1944 in
preparation for D-Day and the scheduled invasion at UTAH Beach (Tare Green). However, the
strong marine current moved their landing site two kilometers south of La Madeleine in front of
the German W-5 stronghold. Elements of the 12th Infantry Regiment landed shortly after noon
and waded through waist-high water in a flooded swamp area full of ditches and holes for
three-hours with the Germans firing down on them. Eventually making their way to Cherbourg
on 21 June 1944, the 4th Infantry Division and Units were directed to the south to the
Carentan-Periers area on 1 July 1944. On 25 August 1944, the 12th Infantry Regiment
participated in the “Liberation of Paris” operations. By 6 September 1944, the 4th Infantry
Division reached Ardennes, France, continuing to Luxembourg, Belgium on 8-9 September
1944, and reached Liege, Belgium on 10 September 1944 stopping for a few weeks for a
gasoline shortage until 7 November 1944, when the 12 Infantry Regiment entered the Hurtgen
Forest.
At the beginning of D-Day, the 12 th Infantry had consisted of 3,800 personnel. By July 1, 1944, it consisted of 1,130 men.
Private Myron Elton Williams, served in the Company L, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment,
4th Infantry Division, in the European Theater during the Second World War, and was reported
missing in Action (MIA) as of 16 November 1944 near the town of Hürtgen, Germany. His
remains were not immediately recovered or identified after the war, therefore his official date
of death is listed as 17 November 1945.
Private Williams was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal; Good
Conduct Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with three bronze service
stars with arrowhead; World War II Victory Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award; and
the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.
His name is permanently inscribed on the "Tablets of The Missing" at the Netherlands American
Cemetery and Memorial Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands.
After seventy-eight years, Private Williams’ remains were identified using DNA Analysis and will
be returned to be reunited with his family. His entire obituary may be found here: https://www.crottyfh.com/obituary/PrivateMyron-Williams
Staging Location: The cul-de-sac between the Walk of Heroes and the Memorial Shelter at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 SH 195, Killeen, TX 76542 (http://tinyurl.com/CenTexVetsCeme)
Setup & Briefing: Upon clearance and at the direction of the Ride Captain, we will move to the shelter, set up the flags, be briefed and await arrival of the procession.
WX: Isolated thunderstorms in the morning, then partly cloudy late. High 88F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Notes:
1. Be at stagingS ON TIME.
2. Hydrate well prior, bring water for yourself and a buddy and dress with consideration of the weather conditions.
3. All PGR cages will report to the cemetery and wait for the procession.
Please join us in welcoming home and honoring this US Army WWII soldier for his ultimate service to our Great Nation.
We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.
