A LOOK BACK: KAPPA HISTORY
lowed by Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base, where he earned his navigator wings in November 1970. He attended Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) training and F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training from November 1970 to June 1971, followed by service as an F-4D WSO with the 555 th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from July 1971. Williams’ skill as a pilot was exempli- fied by the fact that he was among an elite few Blacks who were selected as a fighter pilot. He estimated that during that time, out of 8,000 Air Force pilots, approximately 400 were Black and 25 of them were fighter pilots. Williams stated, [As a Black fighter pilot], “You had to be 120% better than a White guy
who as 70%.” Among Williams’ many honors, his third (of four) Distinguished Flying Cross w/Valor Citation provides an account of one of his many combat ac- tions. It reads: Captain James W. Williams dis- tinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer over hostile territory on 8 May 1972. On that date, Captain Williams participated in a flight of four F-4D tactical fighters on a mission to provide allied aircraft that were striking targets deep in the heart of hostile territory with protection from enemy interceptors. Disregarding his own personal safety, Captain Williams aggressively engaged a superior number
of hostile aircraft and greatly aided the flight leader who destroyed one of the enemy interceptors. The remaining hos- tile aircraft then broke off their attack, allowing the friendly aircraft to strike the hostile targets without opposition. The outstanding heroism and selfless devo- tion to duty displayed by Captain Wil- liams reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Williams was on his 228 th Combat Mission, including 75 missions over North Vietnam when he was shot down approximately 25 miles south of Hanoi on May 20, 1972. Williams was forced to eject from his Phantom F-4D aircraft and was taken as a Prisoner of War (P.O.W.). Williams recalls being on the ground for approximately 5 hours
THE JOURNAL ♦ WINTER 2019 | 93
Publishing achievement for more than 105 years
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker