A LOOK BACK: KAPPA HISTORY
Lt. Col. James W. Williams
Highly Decorated USAF Fighter Pilot and Unsung Vietnam War P.O.W.
By Kevin Scott, Grand Historian
A Profile in Courage. Opposite page: Lt. Col. James W. Williams being released as a Prisonor of War. Williams revisiting the “Hanoi Hilton” prison. Photographed with the widow of the soldier who shot Brother Williams down.
O ur fraternity history provides accounts of our brothers who have honorably served our country in every military conflict since World War I. Additionally, our documented history indicates that as early as World War I, some of our brothers have given the ultimate sacri- fice while serving our country in the pro- tection of our freedoms. One story that has not been chronicled in the annals of our history is that of the only member of Kappa Alpha Psi ® who was a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War, Lt. Col. James W. Williams. Williams’ path of military service was paved by count- less Black predecessors, particularly, the Tuskegee Airmen who endured and overcame acts of overt and covert discrimination, meant to eliminate or diminish their roles of service. They proved, contrary to the belief of their White counterparts, that Blacks could not only perform military tasks on the same level as White soldiers, but could exceed them. Williams’ achievements as
a soldier and fighter pilot reflected the notable actions of those who preceded him, but also remains an example for current and future servicemen. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Wil- liams’ is the eldest of five children. He reminisced about his earliest aspirations of flying occurred when he was a child. He and his father would go to the airport on the weekends to watch planes take off and land. Williams recalled tell- ing his father, “One day I’m going to do that.” His mother, father and grand- father encouraged him to achieve his dream, but told him that he must get his education. While in high school, he par- ticipated in the National Defense Cadet Corp (NDCC), where he obtained three years of army training. Following his high school graduation, he matriculated to Tennessee A&I State University (now known as Tennessee State University). He was the first in his family to attend college. He stated it cost $55/quarter and his high school track coach Willis
Stevenson helped him to get a stipend. While attending school at T A&I, Wil- liams was initiated into the Fraternity via the Alpha Theta Chapter on December 5, 1965. Williams recalls during his se- nior year, fellow Kappa brother, General Daniel “Chappie” James visited T A&I for his military graduation and remem- bers thinking when he saw James walk in the door, “I wanted to be just like him.” Williams developed a relation- ship with James as his mentor. Williams states, “When I was shot down, [James] was the one who kept in contact with my family.” Williams also participated in the Air Force ROTC program at T A&I and following his graduation, he was commissioned a 2 nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in March 1967. Williams said he made his decision to make the military his career when he first flew a plane. He stated the first plane he flew by himself was a T41 (Cessna). He began his pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base in 1969, fol-
92 | WINTER 2019 ♦ THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 105 years
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker