John Gordon Williams was born on June 19, 1896, at Beacon, New York. He attended Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and enlisted as an Aviation Cadet on October 11, 1917. He was commissioned a second lieutenant, Aviation Section, Signal Reserve Corps, on February 27, 1918. He was ordered to active duty on March 10, 1918, served throughout the World War, and on July 1, 1920, was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Service, Regular Army.
SERVICE
He enlisted in the Signal Enlisted Reserve Corps in September 1917; and was ordered to the Cornell School of Military Aeronautics, Ithaca, New York. In October 1917, he went to Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, where he earned his wings. His first commissioned service was at Camp Dick, Dallas, Texas for a brief tour of duty. He was then ordered to Hazelhurst Field, New York in April 1918, and was assigned to the 48th Aero Squadron, 1st Provisional Wing. He then successively served brief tours of duty at Payne Field, West Point, New York; the Air Service Depot, Garden City, Long Island, New York; and was attached to the 74th Aero Squadron for duty to November 1918 at Roosevelt Field, New York.
In April 1919 he was transferred to France Field, Panama Canal Zone. Returning to the United States in September 1919, he went Carlstrom Field, Arcadia, Florida, as a flying instructor, Detachment Commander, and Primary Stage Commander. In July 1922, he was assigned to Brooks Field, Texas as Primary Stage Commander in the Air Service Primary Flying School, serving there until September 1924, when he proceeded to Rockwell Field, California, for staff duty, such as Assistant Depot Supply Officer and Depot Supply Officer.
In May 1926, he went to Clark Field, Camp Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands, where he joined the 3rd Pursuit Squadron. Returning to the United States in May 1928, he was assigned to the 60th Service Squadron, 3rd Attack Group, at Fort Crockett, Texas, as Squadron Commanding Officer and Group Engineering Officer, until January 1929, when he entered the Flying Instructors’ School, Kelly Field, Texas. Upon completing this course, he was ordered to March Field, Riverside, California, as an instructor in the Air Corps Primary Flying School. In October 1931, he became Director of Primary Flying Training, Air Corps, Primary Flying School, Randolph Field, Texas.
He served as Post Operations Officer, Chief Inspector and Chief Test Pilot, Air Corps, Fairfield Air Depot, Patterson Field, Ohio until August 1937, when he enrolled in the Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Alabama. He was graduated in June 1938 and served as Air Corps Technical Supervisor at the Middletown Air Depot, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He became Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, Southeast Army Air Forces Training Center at Maxwell Field, Alabama, from November 1941 to June 1942; Chief of Staff from June to September 1942; and Acting Deputy Chief of Staff from September to December 1942. He then was assigned to duty at Headquarters, 28th Flying Training Wing at George Field, Illinois. In February 1943, he became Commanding General of the 29th Flying Training Wing at Moody Field, Georgia.
In April 1945 he went overseas where he served as Commanding General of the I Tactical Air Force Service Command (Provisional) in the European Theater of Operations. He returned to the United States in July 1945 and was assigned to Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C. From August 23 until April 1, 1946, he served as Chief, Flight Operations Division, Office of the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations. From April 1 to June 4, 1946, he was Special Assistant to the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations, and transferred to Hickam Field, Hawaii as Commanding General of the Hawaiian Air Material Area. In January 1947 he became Commanding General of the Japan Air Material Area at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. He returned to the United States in July 1948 and took command of Orlando AFB, Florida, which position he held until his retirement from the Air Force on February 28, 1950, in the grade of Brigadier General.
He was rated a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, and Aircraft Observer.
PROMOTIONS
Private First Class, Aviation Section, Signal Enlisted Reserve Corps, October 11, 1917, to March 9, 1918; Second Lieutenant, Aviation Section, Signal Officers’ Reserve Corps, February 27, 1918, to September 7, 1920; Second Lieutenant, Air Service, July 1, 1920; First Lieutenant, July 1, 1920; Captain, August 1, 1931; Major (temporary), June 16, 1936; Major, August 15, 1939; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), December 30, 1940; Lieutenant Colonel, A.U.S., April 18, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel, December 18, 1941; Colonel (temporary), January 5, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S., February 1, 1942; Brigadier General, A.U.S., February 4, 1943; terminated Brigadier General, A.U.S., date not found, reverting to the grade of Colonel, A.U.S.; Colonel, April 2, 1948; retired in the grade of Brigadier General, February 28, 1950.
DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit, World War I Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan).